Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

1. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) By: Alex Danchi 3/6/2013 Psych 4

2. ALS • Scientific name: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis • Mostly referred to as ALS • Amyotrophic: relating to muscle atrophy • Lateral: side • Sclerosis: hardening

3. Target Population • ALS usually develops in adults from 35 to 65 years old • There are no known cases of anyone catching ALS • ALS comes from a mutation of the SOD1 gene on the 21st chromosome • About 10% of people with family history of ALS develop it

4. Effects of ALS • ALS progressively attacks specialized nerve cells called motor neurons • It eventually disintegrates these neurons which makes it so you lose voluntary muscle control • These include muscles of the limbs & neck; and those responsible for speech, chewing, and swallowing • Involuntary muscles are not affected and the patient can usually move their eyes

5. Symptoms • Some with ALS first experience constant weakness in their legs or arms, making it difficult to for them to walk or do daily tasks • Also symptoms may involve trouble with swallowing and speaking • Other symptoms include muscle twitches, spasms, and frequent cramps • ALS isn’t associated with pain at any stage of the illness

6. Diagnosis & Prognosis • An experienced physician carefully evaluates the patient’s medical history and performs a thorough neurological examination • An electromyogram (EMG) is also often performed to study the health of the bodies nerves and muscles • An EMG involves inserting electrodes into muscles and measuring the electrical signals • ALS usually affects all of the bodies muscles within 3 to 5 years from the onset of the disease • Death results from paralysis of respiratory muscles

7. Cure • There is no cure developed yet for this disease • Although there is not a cure, there are treatments that relieve symptoms like cramps and muscle twitching • Also there was a study in 1995 that showed that an experimental drug, Riluzole, prolonged the lives of people with ALS by 3 months

8. Famous Cases • Lou Gehrig • June 19, 1903–June 2, 1941 • Started his baseball career with the Yankees in 1923 and was forced to quit in 1939 because of his ALS • He had the record for most consecutive games played until 1995 with 2,130 games • ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease

9. Famous Cases Cont. • Stephen Hawking • January 8, 1942- • Theoretical physicist • Aired on “The Big Bang Theory”

10. Organizations • Two major organizations that back up the treatment centers are the ALS Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association • Regular treatment centers are usually hospitals with specialized neurological departments

11. Works Cited • Facts About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). (2000). In Pamphlet by: Muscular Dystrophy Association (p. 1). Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA79475017&v=2.1&u=cary81451&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w • About Stephen Hawking. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2013, from http://www.hawking.org.uk/about-stephen.html • Lou Gehrig Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2013, from Lou Gehrig Biography      website: http://www.lougehrig.com/about/bio.html