Understanding the Mechanisms of Weight Loss to Treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Prof. Luc Dupuis’ project aims to understand the role of the lateral hypothalamus in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and its associated weight loss. His research objective is to identify the specific neuronal types affected in ALS progression, characterize the connectome of the lateral hypothalamus in relation to disease progression, and determine the functional role of these neuronal types in ALS-related weight loss and motor dysfunction. The research involves using animal models and advanced neuroscience techniques to study the lateral hypothalamus and its major neuronal populations in the context of ALS. The ultimate goal is to gain insights into the mechanisms of weight loss in ALS and develop targeted pharmacological strategies to treat weight loss and potentially extend the lifespan of ALS patients. 

The project has made significant progress since its initiation in December 2018. The team has started to systematically characterize the affected cell types in the lateral hypothalamus, both in ALS patients and mouse models, with initial findings showing degeneration of specific neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. Additionally, the project hopes to investigate the connectivity anomalies of the lateral hypothalamus and its role in metabolic abnormalities, as well as its impact on the neurological phenotype in ALS. The research involves a comprehensive approach to unravel the complexities of ALS-related weight loss and its connection to the lateral hypothalamus, with the potential for broader implications in understanding weight loss in other neurodegenerative diseases.