1. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
By: Alex Danchi
3/6/2013 Psych 4

2. ALS Scientific name: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Mostly referred to as ALS
Amyotrophic: relating to muscle atrophy
Lateral: side
Sclerosis: hardening

3. Target Population
ALS usually develops in adults from 35 to 65 years old
There are no known cases of anyone catching ALS
ALS comes from a mutation of the SOD1 gene on the 21st chromosome
About 10% of people with family history of ALS develop it

4. Effects of ALS
ALS progressively attacks specialized nerve cells called motor neurons
It eventually disintegrates these neurons which makes it so you lose voluntary muscle control
These include muscles of the limbs & neck; and those responsible for speech, chewing, and swallowing
Involuntary muscles are not affected and the patient can usually move their eyes

5. Symptoms
Some with ALS first experience constant weakness in their legs or arms, making it difficult to for them to walk or do daily tasks
Also symptoms may involve trouble with swallowing and speaking
Other symptoms include muscle twitches, spasms, and frequent cramps
ALS isn’t associated with pain at any stage of the illness

6. Diagnosis & Prognosis
An experienced physician carefully evaluates the patient’s medical history and performs a thorough neurological examination
An electromyogram (EMG) is also often performed to study the health of the bodies nerves and muscles
An EMG involves inserting electrodes into muscles and measuring the electrical signals
ALS usually affects all of the bodies muscles within 3 to 5 years from the onset of the disease
Death results from paralysis of respiratory muscles

7. Cure There is no cure developed yet for this disease
Although there is not a cure, there are treatments that relieve symptoms like cramps and muscle twitching
Also there was a study in 1995 that showed that an experimental drug, Riluzole, prolonged the lives of people with ALS by 3 months

8. Famous Cases Lou Gehrig June 19, 1903–June 2, 1941
Started his baseball career with the Yankees in 1923 and was forced to quit in 1939 because of his ALS
He had the record for most consecutive games played until with 2,130 games
ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease

9. Famous Cases Cont. Stephen Hawking January 8, 1942-
Theoretical physicist
Aired on “The Big Bang Theory”

10. Organizations
Two major organizations that back up the treatment centers are the ALS Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association
Regular treatment centers are usually hospitals with specialized neurological departments

11. Works Cited
Facts About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). (2000). In Pamphlet by: Muscular Dystrophy Association (p. 1). Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc. Retrieved from 1&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
About Stephen Hawking. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2013, from      
Lou Gehrig Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2013, from Lou Gehrig Biography      website: