My late husband, Jeff, and I shared a love of the outdoors, even though our preferred activities were often different. I loved to hike and kayak, while Jeff, who’d been injured when a car hit his bicycle in 2010 and still suffered from orthopedic pain, preferred to relax. Whether at…
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Antidepressants that suppress the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep are associated with prolonged survival in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to recent research. Because most muscles are paralyzed during REM, this could increase the risk of breathing issues, including possible respiratory failure, in people with…
We had a whirlwind of activity this past Memorial Day weekend, with friends visiting from out of town. We had blue skies, sunshine, and warmer temperatures than usual. After a long winter and the slow unfolding of spring here in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, it felt like a gift.
Supporters will celebrate the 5th annual Lou Gehrig Day on June 2. The yearly event honors the legacy of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Famer whose high-profile struggle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) brought widespread attention to the rare neurodegenerative disease. Through awareness and fundraising initiatives,…
A study found that genetic mutations associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lead to problems with the function and transport of mitochondria, cellular structures needed for energy production, early in the disease course, before abnormal protein clumps are formed. “We show that the nerve cells, termed motor neurons, that…
The ALS Network will support a collaborative research effort, at California’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, that will use electronic health records (EHRs) to identify existing medications that could slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The $300,000 project is aimed at drug repurposing — finding medications already…
Becoming educated and informed about ALS is a good first step. Here you’ll find general information about the disease, including diagnosis, symptoms, and causes.
It helps to know others have been where you are now. Here’s a collection of our columnists’ words of wisdom to help you along on your ALS journey.
There is no cure for ALS yet, but here you can find more information about current therapeutic approaches, as well as experimental treatments that are in the pipeline.
