What Causes Muscle Atrophy?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative illness affecting the spinal cord and brain. It is a terminal and chronic illness that causes patients to lose control of their voluntary muscles over time, including the nerves that control limb movements, swallowing, and speech. Researchers have not found a cure for ALS. Because Lou Gehrig, a famous baseball player, received an ALS diagnosis in 1939, this condition has also become known as Lou Gehrig's disease. There are two classifications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Around five to ten percent of cases are classified as familial, meaning genetics are the cause, so individuals who have a family member with ALS typically have a higher likelihood of developing. However, ninety to ninety-five percent of cases are sporadic and no cause is known for these cases. Some theories indicate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may be influenced by immune responses that target motor neurons, free radical damage, buildups of abnormal proteins in the nerve cells, or imbalances in an individual's glutamate levels.

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