Scientists get closer to understanding the root cause of Lou Gehrig’s disease
There’s been a lot of media buzz surrounding the recent Ice Bucket Challenge. From the average Joe to Donatella Versace, everyone has been uploading their videos online to raise awareness […]
Mary Frances Knapp
Motor nerves plug back into muscles early in the disease course- keeping people with ALS moving.
Credit: ALS Therapy Development Institute
There’s been a lot of media buzz surrounding the recent Ice Bucket Challenge. From the average Joe to Donatella Versace, everyone has been uploading their videos online to raise awareness for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), or Lou Gehrig’s disease. But what about those working behind the scenes? Scientists like Dr. Teepu Siddique at Northwestern University have donated their life’s work to ALS research – and today, he is excited to say that they may have found the root cause of each type of ALS.
Motor nerves plug back into muscles early in the disease course- keeping people with ALS moving. (credit: ALS Therapy Development Institute)
“ALS has a very tragic outcome…It’s like being jailed in your own body. It’s an example of the overall human condition of futility and helplessness. That is the philosophic and humanistic underpinning of my interest in this disease.”
— Dr. Teepu Siddique
There are three kinds of ALS: sporadic, hereditary and that which targets the human brain. Dr. Siddique and other researchers at Northwestern’s Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurosciences believe the underlying problem with each has to do with something called “the breakdown of protein recycling.”
Essentially, says their study, “[the] basis of ALS is a malfunctioning protein recycling system in the neurons of the brain and spinal cord. Efficient recycling of the protein building blocks in the neurons are critical for optimal functioning of the neurons. They become severely damaged when they can’t repair or maintain themselves.” This, say researchers, is a problem prevalent in all cases of Lou Gehrig’s.
Hiram Salvini has a serious case of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. He can’t move or talk and uses his eyes to type words into a computer, which then speaks for him. (credit: Richard Gwin)
What does this mean for the future of ALS research? Well, now Dr. Siddique says scientists can start focusing their energy on drugs that could regulate these protein “pathways,” altering them to the patient’s benefit. It’s an exciting discovery for a disease that has changed the lives of around half a million people worldwide.
You may enjoy:
Reading Health magazine’s article on the above topic here
Visiting the ALS Association website here.
Reading our article, “Before It’s “Too Late”: Seniors Share Fears Before Death The fears and regrets of the dying expressed through an honest photo series by Steve Rosenfield”here
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I was diagnosed last July. I was wheelchair bound. My feet hurt horribly on the foot petals. I started ALS/MND programme about 4 months ago. I’m now able to walk down the street and back at least I couldn’t do that prior to the ALS treatment. It doesn’t make the ALS go away but it did give me better quality of life.
I am a CALS of my 68 year old Husband who suffered from muscle tiredness brought on by chronic fatigue in its early stages. Neurologists first had difficulty diagnosing it until multiple examinations indicated ALS, for which there was no known cure other than the prescription of riluzole medications, vitamins, and therapies. More advancements in breathing difficulties, difficulty pronouncing words, and difficulties eating occurred before we made the decision to try different medications, which significantly enhanced his condition. He received treatment for ALS/MND at vinehealthcentre. com from the U.S approximately four months ago; since then, he has stopped using a feeding tube, sleeps well, works out frequently, and has become very active. Although it doesn’t cure his ALS, it has improved his quality of life. .
I am a CALS. My husband is PALS. It was hard and I cry daily but not in front of him unless we cry together. He couldn’t find anything to give him happiness or hope. We have been focusing on our faith. He was only losing his voice before we made the decision to try different medications, which significantly enhanced his condition. He received the ALS/MND treatment for his ALS from uinehealth centre . co m approximately four months ago; since then, he has stopped using a feeding tube, speech is getting better by the day, sleeps well, works out frequently, and has become very active.
After my husband Lou Gehrig’s disease diagnosis, our primary care provider introduced us to Uine Health Centre and their ALS/MND Formula protocol, the ALS/MND treatment has made a tremendous difference for my husband. His symptoms including numbness and muscle weakness all disappeared after the treatment plan!
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