Screening for drugs that ameliorate motor axon abberation in zebrafish models of SMA and ALS

Zebrafish with mutations in certain genes have been found to be good test models for defects underlying the childhood motor neuron disease (SMA). In a drug screen in the host laboratory, a drug has been found that may help rescue motor neurons from death. The aim of this project is to test this drug for its effect on a SMA model that is closer to the human condition. Furthermore, a new therapeutic candidate, neuritin, which has been shown to stabilise the connections between motor neuron and muscle, will be tested for its effect on motor neuron health in our SMA model.