ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a rare incurable disease that occurs in the nervous system. It is a progressive disease, meaning that it gets worse over time. ALS is known for progressing at a fast rate, and being fatal in almost all cases. According to the ALS foundation, the average life expectancy from the time of diagnosis is about two to five years, however, more than half of people diagnosed with the disease live more than three years. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. These nerve cells are called motor neurons. This disease is neurodegenerative- meaning that the motor neurons are “degenerated”, meaning they become weak, in this case,
…show more content…
Doctors and researches cannot pinpoint any certain lifestyle, environment, or diet that directly leads to or causes ALS. However, there is much research that ALS is multifactorial, and that environment may be a cause when paired alongside other factors, such as gene mutation. In a small percentage of patients, 5% according to the US San Diego School of Medicine, the diagnosis of ALS comes directly from genetics. Although researchers have not come to a clear consensus on what the direct cause might be- and it may never be that simple-there are many theories presented and being researched. What adds to its mystery of ALS is that it is so rare, affecting only 4 people out of every 100,000 in the United States, according to research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ALS also has no preference when it comes to who can be affected-as it can affect …show more content…
Sporadic ALS makes up the other 90 or so percent of diagnosed cases, making it the majority. Sporadic ALS is much harder to understand than familial ALS because the disease occurs randomly, with no past family history. Researchers have been trying to pinpoint certain genes that may be the cause of this deathly disease. A study done at Oxford University explores and identifies the genes that are associated with the diagnosis of the disease. They found many different “candidate genes” including the apurinic endonuclease gene, which is the gene that works as a response to oxidative stress, and the Chromatin modifying protein 2b, which is often linked to neurodegeneration- along with many other “candidates.” As research is developed, there is an increasing number of gene mutations that are related and contribute to both types- sporadic and familial. Mutations in genes are harmful because they disrupt the levels of protein and disrupt the function of RNA throughout the body, as well as disrupt the initial development of motor
Doctors and researches cannot pinpoint any certain lifestyle, environment, or diet that directly leads to or causes ALS. However, there is much research that ALS is multifactorial, and that environment may be a cause when paired alongside other factors, such as gene mutation. In a small percentage of patients, 5% according to the US San Diego School of Medicine, the diagnosis of ALS comes directly from genetics. Although researchers have not come to a clear consensus on what the direct cause might be- and it may never be that simple-there are many theories presented and being researched. What adds to its mystery of ALS is that it is so rare, affecting only 4 people out of every 100,000 in the United States, according to research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ALS also has no preference when it comes to who can be affected-as it can affect …show more content…
Sporadic ALS makes up the other 90 or so percent of diagnosed cases, making it the majority. Sporadic ALS is much harder to understand than familial ALS because the disease occurs randomly, with no past family history. Researchers have been trying to pinpoint certain genes that may be the cause of this deathly disease. A study done at Oxford University explores and identifies the genes that are associated with the diagnosis of the disease. They found many different “candidate genes” including the apurinic endonuclease gene, which is the gene that works as a response to oxidative stress, and the Chromatin modifying protein 2b, which is often linked to neurodegeneration- along with many other “candidates.” As research is developed, there is an increasing number of gene mutations that are related and contribute to both types- sporadic and familial. Mutations in genes are harmful because they disrupt the levels of protein and disrupt the function of RNA throughout the body, as well as disrupt the initial development of motor