Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative

                        disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Motor

                        neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from there to

                        muscles throughout the body. When the degenerating takes place

                        the cells eventually die. When that happens the brain no longer has                                    the ability to move or control voluntary muscles. In the later stages

                        of ALS, the patient is paralyzed. For the majority of people the

                        mind remains unaffected. Early symptoms are increasing muscle

                        weakness especially in the legs and arms, swallowing, speech and

                        breathing. Although the cause of ALS isn’t completely understood

                        the 1990s has brought a vast amount of knowledge to understand

                        the physiology of the disease. There is no known cure or treatment

                        that will stop or reverse ALS. There is one drug that modestly slows

                        the progression of this disease. It is called Rilutek. It is approved

                        in the USA but not in Canada. ALS will ultimately cause death. That

                        is the easiest way to explain this silent killer.

                                                     Please use Back button in your Toolbar above