What if the first signs of ALS were found... in sleep?

The ALS team, in collaboration with the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Ulm, conducted a study whose results suggest that the disease begins to alter brain function long before the appearance of the first motor symptoms, such as loss of strength. To do this, the researchers recorded the sleep patterns of people with ALS and carriers of the genes that predispose them to the disease. Detailed analysis of sleep could thus serve as an early indicator of the disease's progression.

Inserm's new video format, in which researchers talk about their work from the lab bench, met with Matei Bolborea, a researcher at the laboratory and co-author of the study. He explains the results obtained. Why is this discovery important? How did the scientists proceed? Does having sleep disorders mean you have ALS? What are the next steps?