Tests and Treatments
Is there a cure for ALS?
Currently there is no cure for ALS but there are treatments and other temporary solutions to help patients suffering from ALS
ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects what?
Nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are affected leading to loss of muscle control, trouble swallowing, breathing and speaking.
What is Motor Neuron Degeneration?
Loss of upper and lower motor neurons. These neurons are responsible for stimulating muscle contraction.
What does ALS stand for?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
What famous baseball player suffered from ALS and the disease is also known after this player?
Lou Gehrig
How could a nutritional plan help?
Nutritionist and dietitians can create meal plans to help manage weight and address and swallowing problems.
In the early stages of ALS what neuron is effected, where is this neuron located and what are common symptoms?
The bulbar motor neurons are affected first which are located in the brainstem. The muscles used for speaking and swallowing are affected first.
What is Glutamate Excitotoxicity
ALS patients have impaired glutamate clearance due to dysfunctional astrocytes which leads to excessive stimulation of neurons – the over stimulation can cause calcium influx, neuronal death and oxidative stress
Is ALS more prevalent in Men or Women?
ALS is more prevalent in Men. Studies from the ALS association indicate that men are approximately 20% more likely to develop ALS
What famous physicist suffered from ALS for 50 years?
Stephen Hawking
A BiPAP machine and a positive pressure ventilator.
Nerve cells responsible for what are attacked and how is it generally characterized?
Nerve cells responsible for voluntary movement are attacked characterized as a death of upper and lower motor neurons.
What is Protein Aggregation?
Misfolded proteins accumulate in glial cells and neurons – these aggregates can disrupt RNA processing and axonal transport
Around how many people per year are diagnosed with ALS?
Around 1.9 per 100,000 people are diagnosed with ALS per year, equating to around 58,000 new cases annually.
A singer famous in the early 70s who suffered from ALS
Roberta Flack
Communication may be difficult for an ALS patient. What are some medical intervention that could assist in communication?
Typically for ALS patients struggling with communications they visit a speech therapist and may require a palatal lift or electronic assistive communication.
As the disease progresses what are common symptoms?
Symptoms include: loss of coordination, drooling, difficulty breathing, fatigue and 50% of cases developing cognitive thinking and behavioral abnormalities. Muscle twitches and cramps are also common due to degenerating axons becoming irritated.
What is Mitochondrial Dysfunction?
damaged mitochondria contribute to energy failure in neurons, which can disrupt calcium homeostasis
What is the cause of ALS?
The cause of ALS is currently unknown however, genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to the disease.
What NFL player who contributed to the Saints Super Bowl win in 2010 now has ALS
Steve Gleason
What are four common types of therapies used for rehabilitation and how can they help?
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and respiration therapy.
What happens in the late stages of ALS?
Voluntary muscles become paralyzed with a vast majority of those effected by ALS ending up in a wheel chair.
What is Neuroinflammation?
Activated astrocytes and microglia release inflammatory cytokines, exacerbating neural damage – chronic inflammation can lead to progression of the disease
What are the two forms of ALS and what percentage of cases are each of the forms?
Familial (genetic) affecting 5-10% of ALS cases and sporadic making up 90-95% of ALS cases
What vice president who served under FDR suffered and passed due to ALS
Henry A Wallace