Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies in which real people participate as volunteers. These trials help researchers develop new treatments and medications for diseases and conditions.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Progressive condition affecting nerve cells in brain and spinal cord
Lou Gehrig’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative condition that affects the nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord. These nerve cells (motor neurons) carry signals to the muscles you control (voluntary muscles) such as those in your arms and legs.
ALS affects mainly your physical control of your muscles, not your ability to think.
ALS Symptoms
With ALS, your nerves stop functioning and your muscles weaken. Early on, you may experience mild symptoms including difficulty walking, running, writing and speaking. As more motor neurons die, the area of your spine where they are located develops scarring or hardening, called sclerosis. When these nerves can no longer make your muscles move, your symptoms worsen and your muscles begin to atrophy or lose tone.
As the disease progresses, you may experience more weakness, loss of movement, and your limbs may appear thinner. Eventually, swallowing and breathing become difficult and paralysis sets in during the later stages of the disease.
ALS Cause and Who it Affects
According to the ALS Association, the onset of ALS occurs between the ages of 40 and 70. In the United States, it affects about 30,000 people, with 5,600 new diagnoses each year. About 90 percent of ALS cases have no known cause or genetic predisposition. In about 5 to 10 percent of cases, parents pass ALS to their children. In these families, if a parent has ALS, each of his or her children has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the condition.
Overview
ALS Symptoms
With ALS, your nerves stop functioning and your muscles weaken. Early on, you may experience mild symptoms including difficulty walking, running, writing and speaking. As more motor neurons die, the area of your spine where they are located develops scarring or hardening, called sclerosis. When these nerves can no longer make your muscles move, your symptoms worsen and your muscles begin to atrophy or lose tone.
As the disease progresses, you may experience more weakness, loss of movement, and your limbs may appear thinner. Eventually, swallowing and breathing become difficult and paralysis sets in during the later stages of the disease.
ALS Cause and Who it Affects
According to the ALS Association, the onset of ALS occurs between the ages of 40 and 70. In the United States, it affects about 30,000 people, with 5,600 new diagnoses each year. About 90 percent of ALS cases have no known cause or genetic predisposition. In about 5 to 10 percent of cases, parents pass ALS to their children. In these families, if a parent has ALS, each of his or her children has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the condition.
Indiana University Health Neurology & Neurosurgery physicians use a multidisciplinary approach to your care. IU Health physicians will manage your symptoms, delay disease progression and keep you functioning as independently as possible. There is no known cure for ALS. However, IU Health neuromuscular specialists have gained international recognition for ALS management. Our one-stop clinic that allows you to see all of your clinicians in one location including neurology, physical, occupational, respiratory and speech therapists, dietitians and social workers.
IU Health Neuroscience Center has received several accreditations and is certified as a Center of Excellence by the ALS Association, only one of its kind in Indiana. Our services meet national standards, and we offer neurological diagnostics, imaging and on-site support therapies from highly experienced physicians.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment Information
The diagnostic and treatment services we offer include:
- Diagnostic tests. These may include electromyography, nerve conduction velocity tests, blood work, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your brain and spine to rule out other diseases.
- Medicine. Your physician may prescribe specific medicines to slow down the degenerative effects of ALS.
- Physical therapy. As you lose muscle control, our physical and occupational therapists help you retain your range of motion through stretching and other exercises.
- Speech therapy. If you have trouble talking, a speech therapist will work with you to improve your communication and teach you how to use a communication device.
- Nutrition. Many ALS patients experience trouble swallowing and suffer weight loss. Our dietitians will teach you and your family how to prepare small, easy-to-swallow meals.
- Respiratory therapy. When you begin to have breathing trouble, a respiratory therapist will monitor your breathing and coughing. You may use a special machine to help you breathe.
- Care service representative. A care service representative can help you and your family access services designed to make your life easier, including home care.
- Clinical trials. We participate in the Northeast ALS (NEALS) Consortium, a group committed to ALS clinical trial research. We also conduct our own research studies with the IU School of Medicine. Our researchers developed a new drug called CC100 which has stopped ALS progression in mice.
Treatment
Indiana University Health Neurology & Neurosurgery physicians use a multidisciplinary approach to your care. IU Health physicians will manage your symptoms, delay disease progression and keep you functioning as independently as possible. There is no known cure for ALS. However, IU Health neuromuscular specialists have gained international recognition for ALS management. Our one-stop clinic that allows you to see all of your clinicians in one location including neurology, physical, occupational, respiratory and speech therapists, dietitians and social workers.
IU Health Neuroscience Center has received several accreditations and is certified as a Center of Excellence by the ALS Association, only one of its kind in Indiana. Our services meet national standards, and we offer neurological diagnostics, imaging and on-site support therapies from highly experienced physicians.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Treatment Information
The diagnostic and treatment services we offer include:
- Diagnostic tests. These may include electromyography, nerve conduction velocity tests, blood work, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of your brain and spine to rule out other diseases.
- Medicine. Your physician may prescribe specific medicines to slow down the degenerative effects of ALS.
- Physical therapy. As you lose muscle control, our physical and occupational therapists help you retain your range of motion through stretching and other exercises.
- Speech therapy. If you have trouble talking, a speech therapist will work with you to improve your communication and teach you how to use a communication device.
- Nutrition. Many ALS patients experience trouble swallowing and suffer weight loss. Our dietitians will teach you and your family how to prepare small, easy-to-swallow meals.
- Respiratory therapy. When you begin to have breathing trouble, a respiratory therapist will monitor your breathing and coughing. You may use a special machine to help you breathe.
- Care service representative. A care service representative can help you and your family access services designed to make your life easier, including home care.
- Clinical trials. We participate in the Northeast ALS (NEALS) Consortium, a group committed to ALS clinical trial research. We also conduct our own research studies with the IU School of Medicine. Our researchers developed a new drug called CC100 which has stopped ALS progression in mice.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
This group sponsors research seeking the causes of and effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases including ALS.
Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Neurology
Neuromuscular physicians at the IU School of Medicine conduct research and clinical trials to find new treatments for ALS.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
This division of the National Institutes of Health provides patient information about treatments, research and clinical trials for ALS.
ALS Association
This national nonprofit focuses on global research, and assisting patients and families who are living with ALS.
Resources
Muscular Dystrophy Association
This group sponsors research seeking the causes of and effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases including ALS.
Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Neurology
Neuromuscular physicians at the IU School of Medicine conduct research and clinical trials to find new treatments for ALS.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
This division of the National Institutes of Health provides patient information about treatments, research and clinical trials for ALS.
ALS Association
This national nonprofit focuses on global research, and assisting patients and families who are living with ALS.
Aug 19
Mike’s mother was diagnosed with ALS 13 years ago. After seeing firsthand the toll ALS takes on both patients and caregivers, he wanted to make a difference.
Patient Stories for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Aug 19
Mike’s mother was diagnosed with ALS 13 years ago. After seeing firsthand the toll ALS takes on both patients and caregivers, he wanted to make a difference.
