Micro RNA s in ALS : small pieces to the puzzle

Micro RNA s have emerged as crucial regulators of neuronal function, suggesting that aberrant micro RNA expression might contribute to pathologies of the nervous system. In this issue of The EMBO Journal , Emde et al ([Emde A, 2015]) report a global decrease in micro RNA s as common hallmark of different forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS ). Strikingly, enhancing micro RNA biogenesis has beneficial effects on the neuromuscular function in mouse models of ALS . Thus, the micro RNA pathway represents a promising novel target for therapeutic intervention in neurodegeneration.