Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis and Tests

Learn More

• Living With
• Related Issues
• Genetics

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Research

• Statistics and Research
• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

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For You

• Children
• Patient Handouts

Summary

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease that attacks nerve cells called neurons in your brain and spinal cord. These neurons transmit messages from your brain and spinal cord to your voluntary muscles - the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. At first, this causes mild muscle problems. Some people notice

• Trouble walking or running
• Trouble writing
• Speech problems

Eventually, you lose your strength and cannot move. When muscles in your chest fail, you cannot breathe. A breathing machine can help, but most people with ALS die from respiratory failure.

The disease usually strikes between age 40 and 60. More men than women get it. No one knows what causes ALS. It can run in families, but usually it strikes at random. There is no cure. Medicines can relieve symptoms and, sometimes, prolong survival.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

• ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary Also in Spanish
• What Is ALS? (ALS Association) Also in Spanish

Symptoms

• Initial Symptoms of ALS (ALS Association) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Living With

• Breathing Difficulties (ALS Association)
• Everyday Life with ALS: A Practical Guide (Muscular Dystrophy Association) - PDF
• Products to Aid in Daily Living (ALS Association)

Related Issues

• Benefits for Military Veterans with ALS (ALS Association)
• For Caregivers: Coping with Burnout (ALS Association)
• MDA Guide for Caregivers (Muscular Dystrophy Association) - PDF
• Oral Care for People Living with ALS (ALS Association)

Genetics

• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)
• Genetic Testing for ALS (ALS Association) - PDF

Statistics and Research

• Facts You Should Know (ALS Association)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Trial of Sodium Phenylbutyrate-Taurursodiol for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
• Article: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: update on clinical management.
• Article: In Familial ALS, Antisense Agent Reduces Disease-Related Proteins.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Also in Spanish

Children

• Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Swallowing problems (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish