AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS(ALS) By: Alex Danchi3/6/2013 Psych 4

ALS

Scientific name: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Mostly referred to as ALS Amyotrophic: relating to muscle

atrophy Lateral: side Sclerosis: hardening

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

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

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

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

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

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

Famous Cases Cont.

Stephen Hawking January 8, 1942- Theoretical physicist Aired on “The Big

Bang Theory”

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

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