Edaravone May Prevent Ferroptosis in ALS

Abstract

Radicava™ (Edaravone) was approved the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a new treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Edaravone is a synthetic antioxidant that specifically targets oxidative damage interacting with lipid radicals in the cell. In ALS disease the multiple cell types are involved in devastating loss of motor neurons. Mutations and biochemical changes in various cell types jointly contribute to motor neuron death, disease onset, and disease progression. The overall mechanism of neurodegeneration in ALS is still not completely understood. Dying motor neurons have been reported to exhibit features of apoptosis. However, non-apoptotic features of dying motor neurons have also been reported such as ferroptosis. The role of Edaravone in the prevention of ferroptosis in parallel with other therapeutic approaches to ALS therapy is discussed.