Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Patients with this condition often experience a broad range of symptoms that get worse over time. While there’s no known cure, some interventions and regenerative therapies can be helpful.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ALS, it’s important to seek as much information as possible. That way, you can get the proper treatment and know what to expect as the disease manifests in your body. Here’s everything you need to know to be prepared for ALS.
Lou Gehrig’s Disease: The Neurological and Muscular Effects
ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Unfortunately, it has severe effects on your nervous system and muscular function as it progresses.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis primarily affects your body’s motor neurons, which are responsible for dictating voluntary movements. Toward the end of the disease’s progression, involuntary movements like breathing can slow or stop entirely.
When your motor neurons can no longer communicate with your muscles properly, your muscles start to waste away. This is called muscular atrophy. Once a muscle has atrophied, it no longer has enough tone to carry out normal movements.
Since ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, the symptoms get worse over time. In the later stages of the disease, ALS patients have trouble speaking, eating, swallowing, and making any voluntary movements at all.
Who Gets ALS? Risk Factors and Genetic Components
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is usually a sporadic disease, meaning patients get it randomly without an obvious known cause. In some cases, although very rare, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is passed down through families.
Genetic ALS stems from genetic mutations that are then passed on to children of affected parents. These cases only make up 10% or less of all ALS cases.
Sporadic ALS may have certain risk factors, but there are no clear causes. This means scientists can’t yet point to a single cause of developing ALS if it’s not genetic.
Possible Risk Factors for Sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Some loose associations between age, sex, and occupation have been made in relation to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. The presence of these risk factors does not guarantee that someone will develop ALS.
These possible risk factors include:
Age: Being 55 to 75 years old
Sex: Early-life cases are most common in men
Military service: Veterans may be at higher risk
One possible reason that military veterans are at higher risk for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is because of their exposure to toxins like pesticides. Being around harmful chemicals may contribute to the development of this debilitating disease, but scientists aren’t sure of this.
The First Signs of ALS
There are two types of ALS onset — limb onset and bulbar onset. Limb-onset Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects your arms or legs or both at the same time. You may notice problems with coordination, fine motor control, walking, and using your hands.
Bulbar-onset ALS first affects the neurons that control your speech and swallowing abilities. You might notice difficulty getting your words out properly or trouble swallowing.
It doesn’t take long for the beginning symptoms of ALS to spread and get worse. This is often how physicians diagnose ALS, as rapidly progressing symptoms usually indicate a serious neurological problem.
Progressive Problems and More Serious Symptoms
As ALS develops, symptoms can become severe and even debilitating. Some patients experience changes seemingly overnight, while others develop more serious symptoms over weeks or months.
The neuron degeneration caused by ALS can start to interfere with essential body functions such as breathing, blinking, and swallowing.
Respiratory Symptoms
Respiration problems are common in end-stage ALS. The muscles in your chest that support breathing may become weak or paralyzed entirely.
Some respiratory symptoms of ALS include:
Shortness of breath (at rest)
Excess saliva
Inability to clear your throat and lungs of mucus
Pneumonia
Weak coughing
Worsened breathing when lying flat
Respiratory system failure
Hospital interventions usually include ventilators to keep air flowing in and out of the patient’s lungs.
Muscle Stiffness and Atrophy
As Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis interferes with their proper use, your muscles start to lose tone, mobility, and structure. This is known as muscle atrophy and may be accompanied by extreme stiffness.
As Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis progresses, many patients lose the ability to speak loudly. The muscles involved in speech start to freeze up and become paralyzed. This can also cause an inability to swallow.
Extreme Weight Loss
Being unable to consume food and fluids normally can lead to excessive weight loss in late-stage Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. This isn’t a healthy type of weight loss, and it’s usually caused, in part, by loss of muscle mass.
Mental Health Challenges
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis doesn’t affect your perception or cognition, meaning you can still hear, see, and think normally. Since the person is aware of their deteriorating condition, they may experience depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health challenges. Having a strong support system is key to remaining mentally well through your ALS journey.
Treatment Options for ALS
You can receive treatment for ALS to slow the progression of the disease. While there is no cure, medical intervention can help you maintain your quality of life for a longer period.
ALS Medication
Some medications protect your motor neurons from further damage, which slows the progression of your ALS symptoms. These medications won’t revive damaged or dead neurons, but they can improve your disease prognosis.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Therapies that involve movement and motor functioning can help you maintain your muscle tone and avoid stiffness. While you still have the ability to move your limbs and smaller muscles, it’s crucial to practice doing so as much as possible. This repetition helps your brain and body stay in a good rhythm and slow motor damage.
Stem cell therapy uses unspecialized human cells to serve specific purposes throughout the body. In the case of ALS, stem cells are administered so they can differentiate into nerve cells to assist with your functioning and comfort. This may be worth considering if you want to approach your ALS symptoms from all possible angles.
Living With Purpose: Life After an ALS Diagnosis
It’s important to maintain a positive outlook as much as possible. Having the support of medical professionals, family, and friends can make all the difference in your quality of life with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Try not to lose hope; science is progressing toward new treatments every day.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of upper and lower motor neurons resulting in paralysis, respiratory insufficiency, difficulties speaking and swallowing, stiffness and spasticity, and muscle atrophy. Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the baseball player was diagnosed with it, ALS is diagnosed in an estimated 5,000 Americans each year.
Currently, ALS has a median survival time of 4.32 years and no known cure. As part of the effort to develop new therapeutic options to slow the progression of ALS, stem cell (SC) transplantation has shown potential in recent clinical trials.
In this review, Aljabri et al. examine the results of various clinical trials exploring the use of stem cell therapy as a viable therapy for ALS. Specifically, the authors identified six studies determined to have met the established criteria for review.
As part of this research, the authors examined the efficacy of SC transplantation in patients with ALS. Studies examined included a number of routes of administration, including subcutaneous, combined intrathecal and intramuscular, intravenous and intralumbar injections, and intrathecal approach. These studies all demonstrated slower decline or significant improvement as measured on the ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R).
While there appears to be a benefit in this application, the authors of two of the studies did not observe a significant difference in the efficacy between treatment and placebo groups after injections.
Additionally, the authors noted that all three studies using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) demonstrated a significant decrease in the progression of disease burden and an overall slower decline in the ALSFRS-R score. On the other hand, studies that used granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) did not demonstrate a significant benefit.
While these results are promising, the authors point out limitations of the study that make it difficult to identify the long-term effects and long-term benefits associated with SC therapy. These limitations include short follow-up periods of either 6 or 12 months and the loss of patients during follow-up, both of which compromise the ability to determine long-term benefits and effects with fidelity.
Aljabri et al. also highlights many challenges associated with the introduction of SCs into the CNS. Among these challenges include the increased risk of AEs associated with the multiple SC injections required to deliver therapeutic doses and determining the most appropriate route of injection for therapeutic benefits.
The authors conclude that early clinical trials have made great progress in delineating the safety of SC therapy in the treatment of ALS. What remains to be determined is how effective SCs are compared to other forms of therapy. While the current data of SC therapy hold great promise, more properly designed clinical trials are needed to verify their benefit.
Source: Aljabri A, Halawani A, Bin Lajdam G, Labban S, Alshehri S and Felemban R (2021) The Safety and Efficacy of Stem Cell Therapy as an Emerging Therapy for ALS: A Systematic Review of Controlled Clinical Trials. Front. Neurol. 12:783122. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.783122
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are two of the more common neurodegenerative diseases, with nearly seven million people in the US living with the conditions in 2023. While AD is more prevalent than ALS, they are both characterized by the progressive loss of specific neurons and glial cells in the central nervous system.
Research has demonstrated that the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases appear to be delayed or improved by the application of neurotrophic factors and that the derived peptide factors from these neurotrophic factors have been found to potentially restore neuronal function, improve behavioral deficits, and prolong their survival.
In this review, Ciesler and Sari review the role of trophic peptides in the improvement of AD and ALS with the goal of developing a better understanding of potential therapies for these neurodegenerative diseases.
While neurodegenerative diseases, including AD and ALS, are well documented to result in debilitating loss of memory and motor function, respectively, the specific mechanisms of action in these diseases are yet to be fully understood. However, research has found that the potential underlying mechanisms can be divided into two categories. The first, which is unique to each neurodegenerative disease, is a specific trigger that activates cell death machinery and the second, which appears to be universal among neurodegenerative diseases, is a directorial process to complete death of a neuron.
While there are currently no effective drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, treatments of the symptoms associated with neurodegenerative diseases include neuroprotective factors, encompassing neurotrophins, and neuroprotective peptides. The authors focus this review on NAP peptide derived from activity neuroprotective protein and ADNF-9 peptide derived from activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF); both of these peptides have been shown to enhance cell survival and outgrowth of dendrites in the form of D-acid analogues.
NAP’s parent protein, ADNP, is essential for brain development and was found to protect neurons against severe oxidative stress. Studies examining NAP have found them to protect against neurotoxins while not affecting cell division. Considering these findings, NAP is now in phase II clinical trials with a primary focus on AD-related cognitive impairment. Additional studies are also evaluating the effects of NAP in ALS models associated with cytoskeletal dysfunction. NAP has been found to extend life span in ALS mouse models when administered prior to disease onset.
ADNF is released in response to vasoactive intestinal peptide that protects neurons from tetrodotoxin-induced cell death and is suggested to be essential for neuronal survival. ADNF-9 showed greater prevention of cell death associated with stress than other ADNF peptides; additional studies demonstrate that ADNF-9 suppressed SOD-1-mediated cell death. While prolonged survival of ALS mouse model was reported to be marginal, the authors highlight that the study did provide insight into a possible treatment for ALS.
The authors also highlight colivelin, a hybrid synthetic peptide of ANDF-9 and humanin, which was found to provide neuroprotection against AD-related memory loss and have a more potent neuroprotective effect than humanin and ADNF-9 when they are tested alone against neurotoxicity.
Ciesler and Sari conclude that in contrast to neurotrophic factors these trophic peptides have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier for efficacy and have potential for future treatment of ALS and AD.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, deadly progressive neurological disease that affects the upper and lower motor neurons. Characterized by weakening and gradual atrophy of the voluntary muscles, ALS gradually affects the ability to eat, speak, move, and eventually breathe.
With an estimated survival rate of 2 to 5 years from disease onset, 90% of ALS patients develop sporadic ALS and there is no known cure. Although the cause of ALS remains unknown, there is scientific evidence that both genetics and environment are key contributors. This evidence includes over 30 different gene mutations and a number of environmental factors (exposure to toxins, heavy metals, pesticides, smoking, and diet) have been found to be associated with neurological destruction and ALS development. Additionally, ALS has been found to be approximately 2 times more likely to occur in men than women.
In the search for a definitive cure for ALS, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for both treatment and management of the condition has been increasingly more common in preclinical and clinical studies.
In this review, Najafi et al. discuss multiple aspects of ALS and focus on MSCs’ role in disease management as demonstrated in clinical trials.
MSCs are multipotent cells with immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and differentiation abilities that make them a strong candidate for use in therapeutic applications intending to expand the lifespan of ALS patients.
To date, preclinical research investigating the cause and potential treatment of ALS primarily relies on data gathered from rat and mouse models. As part of these models, researchers have discovered that the transplantation of MSCs through multiple routes (including intrathecal, intravenous, intramuscular, and intracerebral) can be a safe and effective way to delay the decline of motor function and promote neurogenesis.
These preclinical studies have also demonstrated that the administration of MSCs from specific tissues has shown significant advantages in delaying the degeneration of motor neurons, improving motor function, and extending lifespan.
Over 20 years of clinical research have found that direct injection of autologous expanded MSCs is safe and well tolerated and demonstrated a significant decrease in disease progression and increase in life expectancy in patients.
The authors conclude that ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with no definitive cure. However, several preclinical and clinical studies have shown that MSC’s anti-inflammatory, immunoregulator, and differentiation properties, have demonstrated to be a good therapeutic approach for treating ALS.
Source: Najafi S, Najafi P, Kaffash Farkhad N, et al. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients: A comprehensive review of disease information and future perspectives. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2023;26(8):872-881. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2023.66364.14572
As science continues to uncover the benefits of stem cell therapy, many trials and studies are bringing their focus to conditions with limited treatment options. The neurodegenerative condition amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the conditions that greatly needs new treatment methods to slow its progression. Fortunately, recent clinical trials offer promising results. Here we will discuss Stem cell therapy for ALS.
What Is ALS?
ALS affects the nerve cells present in the brain and spinal cord. In ALS patients, the motor neurons that carry messages from the brain to the spinal cord and then to the body’s muscles progressively die off. As they die, the brain can no longer communicate with the muscles, so patients lose muscle action.
The loss of muscle control may begin with walking and standing, but patients can lose the ability to move, speak, eat, and breathe over time.
How Can Stem Cell Therapy Help ALS Patients?
Stem cells are the building blocks of cells. When prompted to divide, stem cells can either form more stem cells or become specialized cells, such as brain cells or nerve cells. Those new, specialized cells have the potential to repair and replace damaged cells.
Stem cell therapy is an inspiring option in treating ALS since researchers believe the treatment could support new cell growth and help manage the body’s immune system response. Additionally, stem cells offer the potential to regenerate the damaged motor neurons that are characteristic of the disease.
Clinical Trial Results
In an analysis of six clinical trials that examined the benefits of stem cell treatments in slowing the progression of ALS, all six trials showed stem cell therapy slowed the advancement of the disease. However, in two studies, the results were not statistically significant.
All of the studies that followed patients for six months after their stem cell treatments saw significant differences in the results of patients’ ALSFRS-R reports. Patients within the treatment groups experienced a notable slowing in the disease’s progression. In examining the methodologies of the studies analyzed, there are techniques and types of stem cells that show improved results. Notably, the most effective delivery of stem cells to slow ALS in patients is through injections into the fluid-filled space surrounding the spinal cord. In addition, studies using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also saw more significant results than other stem cell therapies. To learn more contact a care coordinator today at Stemedix!
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease of the nervous system that targets the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the condition eventually causes patients to lose muscle control. While ALS currently has no cure, early identification allows patients to use various therapies to delay the advancement of symptoms. Here we will answer a very common question ” what are the symptoms of ALS? “. Keep reading to learn more!
Early ALS Symptoms
Since ALS is a progressive disease, symptoms appear gradually, and patients often ignore early signs. The progression of ALS differs in each patient, as it can target varying neurons. However, there are some common early symptoms, including:
Slurred speech
Trouble gripping items with hands
Issues swallowing
Stumbling
Muscle cramps
Poor posture
Trouble holding up your head
Muscle stiffness
ALS symptoms typically begin in the extremities and the limbs before spreading through the body. Both early and later stages of ALS have no pain.
Advanced ALS Symptoms
As ALS spreads through the body, symptoms worsen. These symptoms include:
Less muscle mass
Struggles with chewing and swallowing
Weaker muscles
Poor or slurred speech
Trouble breathing
Later stages of ALS affect more of the patient’s muscles and movement.
What Causes ALS?
While the exact cause of ALS is unknown, about 5–10% of ALS patients inherit a familial ALS form. Children of familial ALS patients have a 50/50 chance of developing the disease.
Most scientific theories on the cause center on a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors for those with ALS and no familial connection. Smoking, environmental toxin exposure, and military service all appear to contribute to the development of the disease, although researchers aren’t entirely sure how or why.
How Can Patients Manage ALS Symptoms?
During the early stages of ALS, patients benefit from various therapies to delay the progression of symptoms. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy help patients improve their quality of life as the disease progresses.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can extend the amount of time a patient can walk unassisted. Physical therapists work with patients to retain strength in their larger muscle groups and to maintain balance and gross motor skills.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy focuses more on smaller muscle movements, such as using eating utensils, brushing teeth, and getting dressed. Occupational therapists may also work with patients to find alternative methods for completing tasks as specific muscles weaken.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy assists ALS patients in retaining their clarity of speech and swallowing and chewing as the tongue begins to weaken.
While early ALS symptoms, such as an occasional muscle cramp or feeling of weakness, are no cause for concern, if you’re noticing weakness in your hands or feet for days, it’s worth seeing a physician. Some early symptoms of ALS may also be symptoms of other, less-serious health concerns.Many patients are exploring the alternative option of stem cell therapy. This regenerative medicine therapy can help manage symptoms and help slow the progression of the condition. Mesenchymal stem cells may offer a potential benefit in how they target damaged tissues, help in neuronal and non-neuronal cell replacement, trophic factor delivery, and modulation of the immune system. If you would like to learn more about your options for treatment of ALS contact a care coordinator at Stemedix today!
This website and its contents are not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any disease. Stemedix, Inc. shall not be held liable for the medical claims made by patient testimonials or videos. They are not to be viewed as a guarantee for each individual. The efficacy for some products presented have not been confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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