ALS

General Background

100

ALS stands for

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

200

ALS is?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a nervous system disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord

300

Symptoms of ALS?(Only one answer needed)

Trouble walking or doing daily activities

Tripping and falling

Weakness in legs, arms, and ankles

Trouble swallowing

Slurred speach

400

The cause of ALS

ALS affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. These cells are motor neurons. ALS causes motor neurons to deteriorate and eventually die. When the motor neurons are damaged they stop sending out messages. For about 10% of the population a genetic cause can be found. For the remainder, the cause is  unknown.

500

What type of neurons are affected specifically

What is upper and lower motor neurons

Demographics

100

Percentage of ALS cases that are familial

What is 5-10%

200

Typical age range of disease onset

What is 55-75 years

300

Incidence of ALS

What is 1/100000

400

Three factors that play a role in ALS development

What is Physical activity, diet, chemicals/metals, smoking, radiation

500

This part of the body is least likely to display the first signs of ALS onset

What is trunk/respiratory organs

Famous People Effected

100

Sport that Lou Gehrig played

What is Baseball

200

Mary Valastsro Pinto, mother of Buddy Valastro, has been recognized in this reality TV show

What is Cake Boss

300

Longest recorded time suffering from ALS

Who is Stephen Hawking

400

Emmy Award winning writer, director, and producer of Sesame Street

Who is Jon Stone

500

Dwight Clark, former NFL wide receiver who made "The Catch" during the 1981 NFC playoffs played for this team

What is the San Francisco 49'ers