ALS Advocates, US Rep. Leonard Lance Urge Passage of ‘Dormant Therapies Act’

ALS Celebrity Patients: Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking became known in the 1970s for his research in the field of cosmology and ever since he has continued to publish worldwide recognized studies. But one of his greatest achievements has been his fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Against all odds, the physicist is now 74 years old,…

ALS Insurance Access Act, Before US Congress, Would End SSDI Waiting Period for ALS Patients

A bill that would waive the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — legislation supported by the ALS Association during its recent National ALS Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. — has been introduced into the U.S. Congress. Called the ALS Disability Insurance Access…

Assistive Technology Helping ALS Patients

In this video from Philly Philms, watch how the evolution of technological devices are now providing a way for people with low mobility in their upper-body to be able to communicate with other people with the help of assistive technology. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)…

Pesticide Exposure Found in Early Study to Possibly Trigger ALS

Persistent environmental pollutants like pesticides are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and may represent modifiable ALS disease risk factors, according to a study published online in JAMA Neurology, titled “Association of Environmental Toxins With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.” ALS is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease. Persistent exposure to…

ALS Researcher at Kings College London Chosen to Receive $50,000 Sheila Essey Award

Ammar Al-Chalabi, a professor of Neurology and Complex Disease Genetics at King’s College London, was presented with the  Sheila Essey Award at a special session of the recent American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting dedicated to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. He was selected to receive the $50,000 award by both the ALS Association…

ALS Technology: Organizations Launch Challenge

The ALS Association and Prize4Life have launched a joint initiative worth $400,000, to award innovation in helping improve the lives of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The ALS Assistive Technology Challenge will award the development of flexible, accessible technology for ALS patients to communicate. The importance of the challenge is explained…