Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive tool that uses a magnetic field along with radio waves to produce detailed images of the brain, spinal cord, or other body areas. Preliminary studies suggest that MRI may help identify signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) earlier, but larger…
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, or nerve cells controlling muscle movements. Symptoms of ALS can occur at any age but usually begin around ages 55 to 75 and progress gradually. Muscles in arms and…
Nurtec (formerly BHV-0223) is a new formulation of riluzole that is placed under the tongue and dissolves in the mouth. The therapy is being developed by Biohaven Pharmaceuticals for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). How Nurtec works Riluzole is a glutamate-modulating agent. Its exact mechanism of…
Motor neuron disease (MND) is a condition where nerve cells (motor neurons) in the brain and spinal cord stop working, damaging the nervous system and leading to muscle wastage. It’s also referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MORE: 16 fast facts about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. According to the…
College students from the Oklahoma Christian University are helping an ALS sufferer communicate with his wife again. Sixty-four-year-old Carl Phelps from Oklahoma was diagnosed with bulbar onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in April 2015. The disease’s first symptoms appear in the mouth and many patients experience problems talking, eating and…
Between 1943 and 1979, miners around the world were encouraged (and in some cases forced) to inhale aluminum dust called McIntyre Powder, believing that the substance would help protect their lungs. However, a health agency in Ontario has found an alarming link between McIntyre Powder and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that causes the degeneration of motor neurons, eventually leading to a loss of movement and patients being unable to breathe without assistance. We’ve put together a list of fast facts about ALS with help from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and…
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…
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.
In this video from Swallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation, LLC, speech and language pathologist (SLP), Tiffany Turner, explains some of the ways that she can help amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. MORE:Â Explaining the progression of ALS Turner explains that rather than exercise, which could…
