Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Understanding the Causes

Definition of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease in the United States, is a rare but terminal neurodegenerative disease.

Causes of ALS

The exact cause of ALS is still not known, but it can be classified into two main categories:

Sporadic ALS

About 90% of ALS cases are sporadic, meaning they occur randomly without any known cause. However, researchers believe that environmental factors and genetic variations may play a role.

Familial ALS

About 10% of ALS cases are familial, meaning they are inherited or genetic. Changes in more than a dozen genes have been found to cause familial ALS, including mutations in the C9orf72, SOD1, and TARDBP genes.

Risk Factors

While the exact causes of ALS are not fully understood, there are certain risk factors that have been identified, including:

• Age: ALS typically affects individuals over the age of 50.
• Genetics: People with a family history of ALS have an increased risk of developing the disease.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to certain chemicals, toxins, and heavy metals has been linked to an increased risk of ALS.

Importance of Understanding the Causes

Understanding the causes of ALS is critical for developing effective treatments and cures. By identifying the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the disease, researchers can develop targeted therapies and strategies to prevent or slow its progression.