One out of 400 Spaniards will suffer from ALS in their lifetime

According to the Spanish Society of Neurology, one in 400 people in Spain will suffer from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in their lifetime. ALS, which affects people between 40 and 70 years of age, especially men, refers to a group of neurodegenerative diseases that affect the motor cells of the brain, the brainstem and the medulla, causing a loss of their functions and, as a consequence, muscular atrophy. On the occasion of the World Day against ALS, we have the collaboration of Dr. López-Ventura Jimeno, specialist in Neurology and member of Top Doctors, to know all the details about the disease.

Causes of ALS

At present, the causes of this disease are not known, although it is estimated that the cause may be variable, since there are several types of ALS. One possible cause could be related to glutamate, a neurotransmitter, or the proteins SOD1, TDP43 and FUS, which accumulate in neurons and consequently destroy them. Some studies also link ALS to genetic factors, such as a gene alteration, and others point to an autoimmune origin.

Symptoms of ALS

As explained above, this degenerative disease varies in each individual, although there are some common symptoms:

  • Involuntary contractions in the muscles of the hands and feet.
  • Loss of strength and progressive incoordination, especially in the hands and feet.
  • Tiredness in the muscles during exercise.
  • Frequent falls due to lack of leg strength
  • Uncontrollable laughing or crying
  • Difficulty in pronouncing words or swallowing
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Diagnosis and treatment of ALS

To diagnose ALS, imaging and laboratory tests are required, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis (extracted by lumbar puncture), as well as neurophysiological tests. Unfortunately, there is no curative treatment for ALS today, but there is a drug that slows down the progression of the disease. Thus, although this disease affects each patient differently, it is always best to start therapy as early as possible to achieve the greatest effect.