Northwestern Medicine 15th Annual Les Turner Symposium on ALS 2025

1. Overview
The Northwestern Medicine 15th Annual Les Turner Symposium on ALS 2025 brings together leading experts to present the latest research and clinical advancements in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The symposium focuses on unraveling complex disease mechanisms, exploring genetic factors like C9orf72, and discussing novel therapeutic strategies such as DNA drug therapies and cell-based drug discovery. Course Date: November 7, 2025
2. Learning Objectives

Evaluate the development and potential of designer DNA drug therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Analyze the role of stress granules in ALS and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and their impact on disease progression.

Discuss defective transport mechanisms of large dense-core vesicles in specific ALS subtypes (ALS5/SPG11).

Examine the importance of building cell-based and mechanism-focused strategies for ALS drug discovery.

Review new disease mechanisms and therapeutic approaches targeting C9orf72 FTD/ALS.

3. Target Audience

Best for neurologists and researchers who want updates on ALS disease mechanisms, genetics, and emerging therapeutic strategies.

4. Topics
Topics (8 Lectures):

Development of Designer DNA Drug Therapy for Neurodegenerative Disease

Stress Granules in ALSFTD – Friend or Foe

Defective Transport of Large Dense-Core Vesicles Underlies Neurodegeneration in ALS5SPG11

Introduction to the 15th Annual Les Turner Symposium on ALS

Remarks from Laura Freveletti CEO Les Turner ALS Foundation

The Importance of Building Cell-Based and Mechanism-Focused Drug Discovery

New Disease Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches for C9orf72 FTDALS

Insights Into RNA Granule and Mitochondria Crosstalk in ALS From Super-Resolution Live Microscopy