Harvard University stem cell scientists have discovered that a recently approved medication for epilepsy can treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Leading the battle against the disease are Harvard Stem Cell Institute Principal faculty member Kevin Eggan and his Greek  post-doctoral fellow Evangelos Kiskinis. Their effort to make stem cells from two women with ALS who have SOD1 mutations in order to compare human biology and mouse biology using technology called RNA sequencing allowed them to trace biological pathways.

Their ongoing research has come to the fore thanks to the great publicity spurred by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge for charity that has gone viral after being championed by a multitude of famous people interested in getting wet for a good cause. The activity involves dumping a bucket of ice water on one’s head or donating to the ALS Association in the U.S. (CLICK HERE FOR PAST CHALLENGES)

So far the social phenomenon has raised $43 million so that the team of researchers, including Dr. Kiskinis, can continue their work.