Description:  ALS (also known as Lou Gherig's Disease) is one of the most perplexing diseases that exists today. It is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, which are the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. As a motor neuron disease, the disorder ... Read More ALS (also known as Lou Gherig's Disease) is one of the most perplexing diseases that exists today. It is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, which are the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. As a motor neuron disease, the disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body as both the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, develop fasciculations (twitches) because of denervation, and eventually atrophy because of that denervation. The patient may ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement except for the eyes. The worst part about the disease may be the fact that cognitive function remains untouched - people with ALS are completely aware the entire time. Scientists have not found a definitive cause for ALS and the onset of the disease has been linked to several factors, including: a virus; exposure to neurotoxins or heavy metals; DNA defects; immune system abnormalities; and enzyme abnormalities. Surgeries involving the spinal cord have also been thought to play a role in the onset of ALS due to the disruption of nerve fibers. There is a known hereditary factor in familial ALS (FALS); however, there is no known hereditary component in the 90-95% cases diagnosed as sporadic ALS. An inherited genetic defect on chromosome 21 is associated with approximately 20% of familial cases of ALS. This mutation is believed to be autosomal dominant. The children of those diagnosed with familial ALS have a higher risk factor for developing the disease; however, those who have close family members diagnosed with sporadic ALS have no greater a risk factor than the general population. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. However, about 10 percent of those individuals with ALS survive for 10 or more years. My goal is to, first and foremost, raise awareness of this horrible disease. Many people have heard of "Lou Gherig's Disease," but they aren't quite sure what it entails. Secondly, I would like to raise $5,000 for ALS Research by October 31, 2010. Help me do it!  Close