Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Also known as:  ALS;  Motor Neurone Disease;  Lou Gehrig Disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a (usually fatal) progressive degenerative disease of the motor system of the Nervous System.

 ALS usually occurs between the ages of 50 and 60 and affects approximately five persons out of every 100,000.

 5% to 10% of ALS cases are hereditary (usually autosomal dominant).  Hereditary ALS is known as Familial Amyotrophic Laterial Sclerosis.

Nervous System

 ALS causes degeneration of the Motor Nerves (Motor Neurons) that carry Nerve Impulses from the Brain and Spinal Cord to the Muscles.

 ALS may cause difficulty in Speaking.

Musculoskeletal System

 ALS may cause Muscle Weakness, Muscle Spasticity and Muscular Atrophy.

Amino Acids

 Carnitine may help to prevent Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and may extend the lifespan of ALS patients:  ^[1]

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) (1,500 – 3,000 mg per day) may be useful for the treatment of ALS (due to its ability to improve the function of Motor Nerves).  ^[2]

 Administration of supplemental Amino Acids - Branched Chain to ALS patients may result in improved Muscle Strength and maintenance of the ability to walk in up to 85% of patients:  ^[3]

 The specific formula used for the treatment of ALS is 12 grams Leucine, 8 grams Isoleucine and 6.4 grams of Valine per day.

 Valine levels are severely reduced in the Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid of ALS patients.

 Creatine Monohydrate is speculated to alleviate ALS and it is presently undergoing investigation for the treatment of this condition.  ^[4]

 S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) may retard the progression of ALS.  ^[5]

 Threonine supplementation may reduce some of the symptoms of ALS.  ^[6]

Enzymes

 Genetically controlled deficiencies in the production of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) may cause ALS (due to the lack of SOD allowing Free Radicals to destroy Neurons): 

 SOD activity in ALS patients is approximately 40% lower than that of normal, healthy humans.