Japanese researchers published details of their research in the journal Cell Stem Cell on Thursday. The dopamine agonist ropinirole is indicated in the treatment of Parkinson's and restless legs syndrome.
The researchers tested the drug on motor neurons created in the lab to predict the efficacy of the treatment. They also identified 29 genes related to cholesterol synthesis that tended to increase in motor neurons in ALS, but the treatment suppressed their gene expressions. The team also investigated the possible mechanism that would explain the drug's effect on disease.