Benefit of tianeptine and morphine in a transgenic model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) has been linked in some cases to dominant mutations in the gene encoding the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutation. Transgenic mice bearing the G93A SOD1 mutation develop clinical symptoms and pathological features similar to those described in the human disease and represent a good model to explore the potential benefit of therapeutic agents. Using this animal model, we tested the efficacy of morphine and tianeptine treatments, separately and in association, on both disease progression and survival. Acute injection of either of them, administered daily and before the onset of the disease, significantly prolonged the survival of the transgenic mice.