Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease, first identified in 1869 by the noted French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. Although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, the 1990's have brought a wealth of new scientific understanding about the physiology of this disease.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a.k.a Motor Neuron Disease-is a rapidly progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease. It attacks motor neurons in the spinal cord and lower brain which transmit signals from the brain to the voluntary muscles throughout the body. When motor neurons die as a result of ALS, the ability of the brain to control muscle movement is lost. When muscles fail to receive messages, they weaken, atrophy, and die. There is no known cure.

present there is no definitive means of diagnosis of ALS/MND. Most diagnoses are made by eliminating all other possibilities--ailments whose symptoms resemble those of ALS/MND. Neurologists use a number of clinical tests to establish a profile, including blood testing, EMG, MRI, etc;

Some of the pain ALS may cause are pressure sores, muscle aches or cramps, swelling feet, and muscle contractions.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease, first identified in 1869 by the noted French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. Although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, the 1990's have brought a wealth of new scientific understanding about the physiology of this disease.

The groups of muscles affected and the order in which they are affected varies from one person to another. Early symptoms usually include tripping, dropping things, abnormal fatigue of the arms and/or legs, slurred speech, muscle cramps and twitches and uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying. The hands and feet may be affected first, causing difficulty in walking or using the hands for the activities of daily living such as dressing, washing and buttoning clothes.

Anyone can get ALS/MND. Most who develop ALS/MND are between the ages of 40 and 70. There are, however, cases of the disease attacking persons in their twenties and thirties. Generally though, ALS/MND occurs in greater percentages as men and women grow older. ALS/MND strikes men slightly more frequently than women. About one in 800 adult men, and one in 1,200 adult women die of ALS/MND. ALS/MND occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries.

There are three common classifications, and numerous sub-categories: Sporadic: the most common form of ALS/MND Familial: less than 10% of ALS/MND cases suggest genetic inheritance Guamanian: a high number of cases of ALS/MND occur in Guam and the Trust Territories of the Pacific

The cause of ALS/MND is not yet known. While many theories are being researched, at present neither a cure nor a means of prevention is known. In 1993, scientists announced in a paper published in the British journal "Nature" that they had isolated the gene associated with about 20% of the cases of the inherited form of the disease.

ALS/MND cannot be "caught" - it is not contagious. Though some scientists believe it is possible that ALS/MND is caused by a slow-acting or latent "virus", there is absolutely no fear that it is contagious: there is no increased incidence among medical personnel who deal with ALS/MND patients.

ALS/MND wreaks a devastating effect on patients as well as their families. As they struggle to cope with the prospect of advancing disability and death, it consumes their emotional and financial reserves. It is a costly disease in its later stages, demanding both extensive nursing care and expensive equipment. But there is always hope. Recent medical discoveries have led to new drugs which seem to slow the progression of the disease.

Early this year, there was a media report of a suspected cluster of ALS among Italian soccer players. This important scientific observation requires scientific study although, at this time, it is not clear exactly what the possible association between ALS and soccer playing may be. The Miami Herald and the National Italian American Foundation have announced and published story updates.

Minocycline has been tested to treat other diseases like stroke and ALS with varied results. In MS, researchers are looking at minocycline to influence a target that is very specific to MS. Preliminary research has demonstrated that minocycline has great potential to slow down the progression of MS. This work has led to the development of a new $4 million phase III clinical trial involving 200 people and funded by the MS Society of Canada’s related MS Scientific Research Foundation.

with any medication or dietary supplement, it is important to check with the physician managing your ALS care to discuss the pros and cons of adding any new drug or supplement. Creatine is a dietary supplement and is sold in most health food stores. A variety of companies produce creatine. Because it is not a drug, creatine does not fall under the control of the FDA for product claims or manufacturing purity.

It is estimated that 30,000 people in the U.S. have ALS at any given time, with approximately 5,600 new cases diagnosed annually. More than 5,000 people die from the disease each year.