TREATING AGENT FOR AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new treating agent for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), more specifically, a treating agent for ALS containing HGF and/or an HGF gene as an active ingredient. SOLUTION: The treating agent (progress-suppressing agent) for ALS contains HGF and/or an HGF gene as an active ingredient. HGF is effective for improving the motor function and for extending the longevity of an ALS patient through both the pair of functions of a neurotrophic function activity directly acting on motoneuron and an improving activity for glutamic acid cytotoxicity indirectly acting on motoneuron via holding the level of a glutamic acid carrier in an astrocyte. Accordingly, HGF and/or the HGF gene can be used as an effective treating agent which is conventionally unknown.