VA Adds Radicava to its National Formulary for ALS Patients

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has added Radicava (edaravone) to its national formulary (VANF), making it possible for veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to access treatment within the VA’s healthcare system, according to Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America (MTPA). The VANF is a list of drugs and…

Depression is a sneaky beast. It’s the monster beneath the bed, waiting until you’re vulnerable to grab you by the ankles, drag you into its dark, misty kingdom and leave you to wander alone. I’m just stumbling out of a month-long bout of depression. I knew I…

Four students from New York have been named national finalists in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology held at Carnegie Mellon University, after earning top spots in one of the two regional competitions that took place this month. The competition is hosted by the Siemens Foundation. Of…

Rare genetic mutations that affect functionally related proteins act in a synergistic manner to determine the course of ALS, a new genetic screening study shows. It also points to several new mutations that might lead to this disease. “We provide evidence for a number of entirely novel genetic variants of…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons, leading to wastage of the muscles. This affects every area of the body and as the disease progresses, patients begin to experience speech impairments and will eventually lose the ability to speak. MORE: Explaining the progression of ALS…

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the deterioration of muscles in the body, leading to loss of movement, an inability to speak and swallow, and eventually, breathe. According to medscape.com, the rate at which muscle deterioration occurs will differ from patient to…

WASHINGTON — Visitors to the ALS Association’s Washington, D.C., headquarters can’t help but notice the silver baseball bat sitting in a glass display case at the entrance. An inscription says the Louisville Slugger was presented in 1989 to Rodney L. Houts, the nonprofit group’s first president and CEO, to mark…

Anthony Senerchia Jr., the 46-year-old man who served as the inspiration for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, died on Nov. 25. He lived with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for 14 years. Senerchia was diagnosed with ALS shorty after marrying his high school sweetheart, Jeanette Hane, in 2003. In…

One of the most frustrating symptoms of living with a chronic illness is brain fog. There are medications to treat many symptoms of chronic diseases, but sadly there isn’t yet a pill that takes away brain fog. However, there are ways to deal with it so patients can minimize its effects and…

Last week I spent a few hours visiting with my medical team at the ALS Clinic. Usually I leave feeling a bit tired from all the testing and chatter, but I always leave satisfied I’ve learned something new and helpful. You’d think that since I’ve been…