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Breakthroughs in ALS Research

About 50 percent of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disorder that destroys muscles, die within three years. For decades, there was "no specific treatment or cure," reported The Merck Manual of Medical Information, but there were exciting breakthroughs in ALS research in 2009.

  1. Living longer

    • The American Academy of Neurology concluded in Oct., 2009, that patients with ALS, which is also called Lou Gehrig's disease, can live longer by taking the drug riluzole, using a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tube that helps patients breathe and eat, and taking botulinum toxin B to treat drooling.

    Stem cell therapy

    • Embryonic stem cells have helped rats with spinal cord injuries walk again. These cells are being tested in ALS patients because The University of Michigan Health System ALS Clinic reported in Sept., 2009, that ALS patients could achieve similar results.

    Genes identified

    • Three genes that have proved to the development of ALS have been identified, The ALS Association announced in Sept. 2009.

    Gene mutation

    • An excess amount of SOD1 protein is crucial in the development of ALS. In June, 2009, The ALS Association announced that researchers found that gene mutations expedite SOD1's clumping.

    Clinical trial

    • A clinical trial that will test the drug arimoclomol on patients with familial ALS began at Emory (Ga.) University, The ALS Association announced in March, 2009.

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