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Background on ALS


Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive, degenerative disease of the nervous system. ALS is within the group of diseases called motor neuron diseases (MND), in which specialized nerve cells that control movement of the voluntary muscles gradually cease functioning and die. These specialized nerve cells are called motor neurons. They carry impulses from the brain to the brainstem and spinal cord. The impulses are then carried to the muscles. The muscles respond to these impulses by contracting or relaxing, depending on the desired voluntary movement. In ALS and other motor neuron diseases, the muscle tissue deteriorates from a lack of stimulation by the nerve cells. This results in progressive weakness, atrophy, and often spasticity (excess muscle tone). In motor neuron disease, only the motor neurons are affected, therefore other neurons, such as the sensory neurons bringing information from the sense organs, remain intact and unaffected.