1. Lou Gehrig’s Disease

2. - Jean-Martin Charcot discovered 1869 - Men most affected - Still remains mostly a mystery

3. - Difficult to diagnose due to similarity to other curable neuromuscular disorders - Neurological exam to look for muscle weakness - Use EMG/NCV studies and MRI to rule out other diseases

4. - 90% to 95% random due to no risk factors - 5% to 10% of cases are inherited/ 20% of hereditary cases due to genetic defect that causes mutation of the enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 - Not all cases due to same thing so undiscovered genetic problems must exist

5. Symptoms - Twitching - Cramping - Stiffness of muscles - Trouble with muscle coordination - Speech problems - Stay aware and intellectual - Problems swallowing - Progressively symptoms get worse and more severe

6. -No cure has been found -Drugs like riluzole are used to improve lives of victims -Physical therapy, physicians, and constant aid help person feel more comfortable -All just prolongs death

8. http://www.neurologychannel.com/als/diagnosis.shtml http://als-lou-gehrigs- disease.suite101.com/article.cfm/alsamyotrophic_lateral_scler osis http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotr ophiclateralsclerosis/detail_amyotrophiclatera lsclerosis.htm