ALS
By: Ryan Innes
Period 6

What is ALS?
O ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is

often referred to as Lou Gehrig's
Disease.
O ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which affects the neurons responsible for the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement.
O

ALS affects voluntary muscle movement. Voluntary/Involuntary
O Voluntary- Acting of one’s own free

will (something that you can control)
 Ex: picking up a pencil

O Involuntary- Done without will or

conscious control. (something that happens without having to do it)
 Ex: your heart beating

Voluntary

Involuntary

ALS Meaning
O ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
O “A” means no or negative. “Myo” refers to

muscle, and “Trophic” means nourishment.
O “Lateral” refers to the area where the nerves affected by ALS are located.
O “Sclerosis” refers to the hardening of tissue and other anatomical features.
O Altogether, it means the muscles harden so they don’t get nourishment and they start to degenerate or atrophy.

Statistics
 1-3 out of every one hundred

thousand get ALS worldwide.
 5,000 people are diagnosed each year in the United States.
 5-10% of ALS cases are inherited
 95% of cases are random(no history of family having ALS gene)
 10% of people diagnosed survive for
10 or more years

Statistics

Symptoms
O Early Stages- Fasciculation, cramps,

tight and stiff muscles, muscle weakness usually starting in the arm or leg, slurred or nasal speech, and difficulty chewing and/or swallowing
O Late stages- Not being able to get out of bed, having trouble walking, having trouble breathing without a ventilator, cannot swallow food.

Tests
O No one test can diagnose ALS
O Doctors must run a series of tests to

cancel out any other possible disorders that may produce similar symptoms.
O EMG(electromyography)- detects
electrical