THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES: NEW HOPE FOR PATIENTS WITH ALS

Course overview

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the upper and lower motor neurons that control voluntary movement. When neurons can no longer transmit impulses to the muscles, the muscles begin to atrophy, and weakness increases over time. The diagnosis of ALS is established by the finding of selective populations of motor neurons, including the descending supraspinal motor pathways and their neurons of origin, and of the brainstem and spinal motor neurons. According to The ALS Association, based on population studies, there are about 5,600 new cases of ALS diagnosed each year. ALS is 20% more common in men than in women; however, as each group ages, the incidence equalizes. ALS incidence rates are increasing more rapidly than can be accounted for from an aging population. Researchers are showing renewed interest in environmental factors.