Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease is a neurodegenerative disease that attacks the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement called motor neurons. Falling under a group of diseases known as motor neuron diseases, ALS degrades these neurons inhibiting communication between the body's nervous system and its muscle function. As a result, a person with ALS often experiences muscle weakness among other disabilities.

While ALS is not contagious, this progressive disease is most often fatal. Unfortunately, in all parts of the world, ALS happens to be one of the most common diseases of the neuromuscular system.

1. Affects 20,000
2. Diagnosed each year: 5,600

1. Decreased limb coordination
2. Speech impediment
3. Swallowing difficulty
4. Muscle twitching/cramping
5. Weight loss

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have ALS - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, please consult your doctor.

• Topix: ALS News
• The New York Times: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis News Articles
• ALS Association: ALS In the News
• ALS Therapy Development Institute (TDI): ALS News and Publications
• ScienceDaily: More Genes For Lou Gehrig's Disease Identified (April 8, 2008)
• HealthDay: New Gene for Lou Gehrig's Disease Identified (February 28, 2008)
  • "Researchers have implicated a new, yet rare, genetic mutation in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)."
• Scientific American: Potential New Weapon against Lou Gehrig's Disease (November 29, 2007)
• HealthDay: Moderate Exercise May SLow Progresssion of Lou Gehrig's Disease (June 6, 2007)

• eMedicineHealth: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Prevention