Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: MedlinePlus

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: MedlinePlus

 

A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Also called: ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease 

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease that attacks nerve cells called neurons in your brain and spinal cord. These neurons transmit messages from your brain and spinal cord to your voluntary muscles - the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. At first, this causes mild muscle problems. Some people notice

• Trouble walking or running
• Trouble writing
• Speech problems

Eventually, you lose your strength and cannot move. When muscles in your chest fail, you cannot breathe. A breathing machine can help, but most people with ALS die from respiratory failure.
The disease usually strikes between age 40 and 60. More men than women get it. No one knows what causes ALS. It can run in families, but usually it strikes at random. There is no cure. Medicines can relieve symptoms and, sometimes, prolong survival.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Swallowing problems

Related Topics

• Brain and Nerves

National Institutes of Health

• The primary NIH organization for research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

 

Start Here

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
• Also available in Spanish
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)(Patient Education Institute)
• Also available in Spanish  

• Overviews

  • ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  • Frequently Asked Questions about ALS and the ALS Registry(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  • What Is ALS?(ALS Association)

• Diagnosis/Symptoms

  • Diagnosing ALS(ALS Association)
  • Electrodiagnostic Testing(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
  • Electromyography (EMG)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  • Initial Symptoms of ALS(ALS Association)

• Nutrition

  • Malnutrition in ALS(ALS Association)

• Disease Management

  • Breathing Difficulties(ALS Association)
  • Dressing with Ease, Style and Comfort(ALS Association) - PDF
  • Everyday Life with ALS: A Practical Guide(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
  • Products to Aid in Daily Living(ALS Association) - PDF
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• Related Issues

  • About ALS: FAQ(ALS Association)
  • Benefits for Military Veterans with ALS(ALS Association)
  • For Caregivers: Coping with Burnout(ALS Association)
  • MDA ALS Caregiver's Guide(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
  • Oral Care for the Patient with ALS: A Guide for the Caregiver(ALS Association)
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• Tutorials

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)(Patient Education Institute)
  • Also available in Spanish
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• Financial Issues

  • ALS Association's Patient Bill of Rights for People Living with ALS(ALS Association)
  • Compassionate Allowances(Social Security Administration)
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• Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(National Institutes of Health)
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• Genetics

  • Genetic Testing for ALS(ALS Association) - PDF
  • Genetics Home Reference: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(National Library of Medicine)
  • New Genetic Mutations Discovered in Families with ALS(National Institutes of Health)
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• Research

  • Genetic Lassos May Steer Neurons Toward Survival During Lou Gehrig's Disease(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
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• Journal Articles

  References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
  • Article: Protein aggregates and regional disease spread in ALS is reminiscent...
  • Article: Motor neuron involvement in multisystem proteinopathy: implications for ALS.
  • Article: Stress granules as crucibles of ALS pathogenesis.
  • Article: Riluzole exerts central and peripheral modulating effects in amyotrophic lateral...
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis -- see more articles
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• Dictionaries/Glossaries

  • Glossary of ALS-Related Medical and Scientific Terms(ALS Association)
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• Directories

  • ALS Research and Clinical Centers(Muscular Dystrophy Association)
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• Organizations

  • ALS Association
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  • Also available in Spanish
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• Statistics

  • Who Gets ALS?(ALS Association)
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• Children

  • Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)(Nemours Foundation)
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• Patient Handouts

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Also available in Spanish
  • Swallowing problems
  • Also available in Spanish