As has been widely reported in by both traditional and social media, the “Ice Bucket Challenge” launched this summer has raised a considerable amount of money for research on Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease).
So what is ALS? It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the motor neurons involved in voluntary muscle movement. Early symptoms may include muscle weakness or difficulty performing routine physical activities. As the disease progresses, these difficulties increase, eventually leading to paralysis. People with ALS also develop difficulties with speech and breathing; this often leads to losing the ability to speak or breath on their own.
ALS is almost always fatal. According to the ALS Association, the average life expectancy for ALS patients is about two to five years from diagnosis; five percent of patients will survive for 20 years after diagnosis. The association notes that there is no cure or treatment to reverse the disease’s progression; one FDA-approved drug may “modestly” slow its progression.
A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are approximately 3.9 cases of ALS per 100,000 people in the U.S. general population. Among other things, the CDC report found that prevalence is (1) higher among males than females and (2) highest among older white males.
For more information about the disease and current research efforts, see the ALS Association’s website and the CDC's website.
