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.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease. ALS get name of Lou Gehrig's disease after the Yankees baseball player who died of it in 1941. In Britain and elsewhere in the world, ALS refers to a motor neuron disease, in reference to the cells that are lost in this disorder. The word amyotrophic means without muscle nourishment. It refers to the loss of signals the nerves normally send to the muscles. See similar questions...

A-myo-trophic" comes from the Greek language. "A" means no or negative. "Myo" refers to muscle, and "Trophic" means nourishment---"No muscle nourishment." When a muscle has no nourishment, it "atrophies" or wastes away. "Lateral" identifies the areas in a person's spinal cord where portions of the nerve cells that nourish the muscles are located. See similar questions...

Multiple Sclerosis is a neurological condition brought about by the degradation of the protective sheath around the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS). This protective sheath known as myelin is attacked by the body's immune system causing areas of damage called plaques or lesions in a process known as demyelination. See similar questions...

Standard lateral impact tests have not yet been developed for racing, but they are in the works. Computer simulations indicate that Isaac® will reduce head loads caused by lateral impacts by 50%. This makes sense. Isaac® should offer some lateral support because one shock will be in tension and the other in compression. Tether-based "head restraints" only work in tension — you can't push on a rope. See similar questions...

There isn't a definitive answer to this. It is thought that there may be a genetic or hereditary element giving rise to a predisposition to the condition. It is also believed that diet and virus' may play a part. A less popular theory is that mercury poisoning could be a major contributor in some patients. See similar questions...

Usually with difficulty. The symptoms of MS can vary greatly especially in the early stages. It is very difficult for a GP, even one familiar with MS, to associate the early symptoms specifically with multiple sclerosis as these symptoms could have many other possible causes. Once MS is suspected you will be referred to a Neurologist who will conduct a number of tests designed to test reflexes and other sensory reactions. See similar questions...

There is NO known cure, although there are a number of treatments which may reduce the severity of the symptoms. See similar questions...

There is no straight-forward answer to this. Every multiple sclerosis sufferer will experience different symptoms to differing degrees. Common symptoms are impaired vision, loss of hearing, tiredness, loss of motor control in the arms and/or legs (spasticity) and muscle spasm or cramps and pains. See similar questions...

The most common therapy for an attack, also called an exacerbation, is the use of steroids. Steroids reduce the swelling and permit more rapid healing. Long term symptoms (e.g., fatigue, bladder and sexual dysfunction, depression) can be addressed with medications and therapies, many of which are not specific to Multiple Sclerosis. Research continues on drugs that might be effective in slowing the progress of the disease. See similar questions...

From the National MS Society site: "MS is thought to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. Surrounding and protecting the nerve fibers of the CNS is a fatty tissue called myelin, which helps nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses. In MS, myelin is lost in multiple areas, leaving scar tissue called sclerosis. These damaged areas are also known as plaques or lesions. See similar questions...

Multiple sclerosis can occur at any age. It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 15 to 40, during the career and family building years. It can make its first appearance in young children and in older adults. MS is more than three times as likely to occur in women than in men and is seen most commonly in people of northern European background. See similar questions...