Question

How can we raise awareness about ALS as a disease, at the same time we raise money for
ALS?

guiding questions:

The ALSA has provided you with the following questions to help guide your work:
1. What is ALS? Describe the pathological symptoms and disease prognosis.
2. How does the familial form of ALS differ from the sporadic form?
3. How is ALS diagnosed?
4. How is ALS treated? What is the typical prognosis of a patient with ALS?
5. Is ALS preventable?

Answer 1

1) ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is the common degenerative disease of the motor neuron system.

Primary Motor Cortex Brain Spinal Cord -Upper Motor Neuron Anterior horr Muscle -Lower Motor Neuron

ALS What is ALS? ASSOCIATION : amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ... A progressive, neurodegenerative disease • 100% fatal DDDDD Myo Breaking it down: "a" means no or negative + "myo” refers to muscle + "trophic” means nourishment = "no muscle nourishment." Trophic ... lateral" Gatoral is the area in the spine where the * tatela brain tells the muscles what to do. *"sclerosis" is hardening: as the disease progresses, the lateral areas harden and the signals stop. .... . . ............O OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The pathological symptoms are:

-Painless progressive muscle weakness

-Abnormal fatigue

-Slurred speech

-Tripping and dropping things

-Muscle cramps

Prognosis - most of the people die due to respiratory failure. Although life expectancy of a person with ALS is averages about two to five years after diagnosis.

2) Familial Form of ALS is caused by mutations in one of several genes. Most cases are inherited, while Sporadic Form of ALS is more common and is found in approximately 90 % of the cases. There is no family history of having the disease earlier.

ALS Cases Can be Broken Down Into Two Categories ALM Familial ALS (FALS) • Family History of ALS Sporadic ALS (SALS) • No Family History of ALS • 90% of ALS cases • 10% of all ALS cases • Typically due to a single mutation in a single gene • Multiple genes may be contributing to your risk of ALS + Environmental Factors • Researchers have identified -2/3 of the genes contributing to Familial ALS • Few Risk Genes Contributing to ALS have been Identified • Stronger Genetic / Weaker Environmental Influence • Weaker Genetic / Stronger Environmental Influence

3) ALS DIAGNOSIS-

This disease is very difficult for diagnosis. However certain clinical examination have been established.

• Electro diagnostic tests like Electromyography
• Blood and urine studies like high resolution serum protein electrophoresis
• Muscle or nerve biopsy

4)  Treatment of ALS ​​​​​​

Treatment can't reverse the damage of ALS but they can slow the progression of symptoms. However, there can be different therapies which can be taken - Physical, speech and breathing exercises.

Apart from them, there are two drugs approved by FDA - Riluzole and Edaravone can be taken under supervision.

5) ALS is non preventable disease, however patients can reduce the damages by participating in clinical trials and practicing daily therapies as recommended.