Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Information About ALS

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Information about ALS

We don’t know what causes ALS. Between five and ten percent of ALS patients have a family history of the disease, implying a genetic component. While ALS can strike at any age, it usually occurs in people between 40 and 70 years old. About 5,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year; about 20,000 live with it.

There is no known cure for ALS, which eventually results in paralysis—often, but not always, between three and five years after diagnosis (10% of patients live longer). ALS does not affect the mind or senses. Its progress can be sporadic. Most ALS patients eventually require a respirator to breathe. The drug Riluzole® seems to modestly extend survival time, and has been approved by the FDA.

How is ALS diagnosed?

The first signs of ALS are often arm or leg weakness, problems with speaking or swallowing, loss of fine motor control, muscle twitches or cramps, loss of muscle bulk, and/or tight or stiff muscles. Some people laugh or cry more easily.

No specific test diagnoses ALS. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) can measure declines in nerve function. Tests of blood tests and spinal fluid, along with brain imaging, can rule out other conditions.

What are some research directions in ALS?

Many promising leads are being pursued. One line of research teases out possible genetic causative factors from genetic susceptibility (i.e., some people might inherit an increased susceptibility to certain “triggers” for ALS).

Some studies suggest that night-time breathing assistance in the early stages can provide benefits. Current treatments can manage symptoms, and ALS patients work with speech pathologists, physical therapists, and other specialists, usually coordinated by a neurologist as the primary physician.