Playing Defense Against Lou Gehrig’s Diseas, Essay Example

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease after the New York Yankees’ first baseman, is a disease that affects the neuromuscular system of the body. In essence, ALS attacks nerve cells throughout the body and contributes to the eventual slow progression of the death of brain cells and an inability to control muscular function. Towards the end of the disease state, patients become paralyzed. Many patients with ALS have some hope for the future as researchers in the field are in the early stages of developing specific treatments and/or therapies, that, while not a cure for the disease, may prove worthwhile in halting the progression of ALS symptoms and the anticipated prevention of disease onset.

The following discussion will address the following characteristics related to ALS: 1) how the disease is caused; 2) how it progresses within the human body; and 3) current available treatments and those in the research phase. This discussion will be divided into the following categories: 1) how ALS functions as a disease, focusing on the differentiation between the different forms such as sporadic, familial; 2) the areas of the body that are most vulnerable to disease and how researchers are aiming to slowdisease progression throughout the body (i.e., a study in motor neurons focusing on why certain neurons of the body are not affected, such as the bladder, eyes, etc); and 3) how different countries are treating ALS (e.g. the U.S. has only one treatment for ALS, known as riluzole). This paper will support the widespread belief that treatment for ALS is on the brink of a significant discovery to increase life expectancy dramatically, from several years to several decades.

New discoveries in ALS research continue to be explored on many different fronts, from stem cell research to more traditional therapies. The debilitating effects of the disease continue to prevail and require a significant level of attention and focus from researchers in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, there are approximately 30,000 current cases of ALS and the disease continues to devastate this patient population with a progressive loss of neuromuscular function (Aebischer& Kato). Since the origins of ALS remain somewhat elusive, it is important to address the findings that have been made to date and to consider how the destruction of motor neurons takes place within the human brain (Aehischer& Kato). By using mouse models, neighboring glial cells have been identified as one of the key contributors to the neuronal destruction (Aebischer& Kato).

One promising area of treatment for ALS is known as insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which is comprised of a protein that is designed to protect neurons from destruction, and this treatment is currently under further evaluation in order to develop clinical trials through viral injections of IGF-1 that might be effective in improving the longevity of cells and increasing the life span (Aebischer& Kato). This is an important and potentially meaningful discovery that may have a lasting impact on some patients if clinical trials are successful (Aebischer& Kato).

As mentioned previously, stem cell research regarding ALS continues to grow in scope and significance; therefore, it is important to address some of these techniques, even though some are deemed controversial because they are unproven (PR Newswire). These techniques include the development of a technique to inject stem cells into the spines of 12 clinical trial patients, all of whom responded with no further progression of the disease over several months following the procedure (PR Newswire). This discovery is essential because it provides a basis for evaluating the conditions under which ALS might be halted or its progression slowed to the point of improvements in quality of life for patients (PR Newswire). This is only one of several research studies involving stem cells where scientists have developed promising protocols that may have a positive impact on patients, even in the short term.

Most importantly, research regarding ALS which is in the exploratory stages must be adequately funded so that researchers are able to actively contribute to the discussion and to make new discoveries through grants and other donations that will impact the growth and expansion of their research with the intent to improve health outcomes for patients. It is important to address these considerations and to be receptive to these needs, while also consider new ideas that may lead to additional discoveries that will slow the progression of the disease. The rate of progression is one of many concerns within the ALS research community; therefore, it is important to identify specific factors that will be effective in supporting this patient population. It is anticipated that new discoveries will eventually lead to clinical trials and probable treatments for ALS that will prolong lives and expand the availability of treatments for the disease. It is believed that these opportunities will eventually contribute to new forms of research and the development of factors that will facilitate improved patient outcomes on a long-term basis. Perhaps it is possible that a cure for ALS will also be achieved in the future, which would enable patients to fully recover from the debilitating and mostly fatal illness.

Works Cited

Aebischer, P. & Kato, A. “Playing Defense Against Lou Gehrig’s Diseas.” Scientific American 297(5), pp. 86-93. 2007. Print.

McCain, E. “The Case of Eric, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and Stem Cell Research.” Science Cases. Online.

PR Newswire. “Stem cell injections in Lou Gehrig’s Disease can be given safely, new research study shows.”

Soumya, R. S. & Lansbury, P. T. “A Possible Therapeutic Target for Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” PNAS 101(16), pp. 5701-5702. 2004. Print.

Wang, S. “Deciphering Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Wall Street Journal. 13 September 2011. Online.