Although most familial ALS cases follow an autosomal dominant inheritance,
recessive and X-linked forms
have been described. Autosomal means that the mutation occurs in a chromosome other than X or Y.
What gene mutation causes ALS?
SOD1 and C9orf72
are the most common genetic causes for ALS. However, as described above, additional genes are associated with the disease. ALS1, associated with a mutation in SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1) gene.
Who is most at risk for ALS?
ALS risk increases with age, and is most common between the
ages of 40 and the mid-60s
. Sex. Before the age of 65, slightly more men than women develop ALS .
Is Lou Gehrig's disease inherited?
About 5 to 10 percent of all ALS cases are familial, which means that
an individual inherits the disease from a parent
. The familial form of ALS usually only requires one parent to carry the disease-causing gene. Mutations in more than a dozen genes have been found to cause familial ALS.
How many genes cause ALS?
Greater than 25 ALS
genes have been identified since the discovery of SOD1 in 1993.
What does ALS feel like in the beginning?
Early symptoms of ALS are usually characterized by
muscle weakness, tightness (spasticity), cramping, or twitching (fasciculations
Does ALS come on suddenly?
As I have mentioned before,
ALS does not start abruptly
. Consider Lou Gehrig. At first he never dreamed he had a disease. That's the same problem all of our patients face.
What are 3 types of ALS?
- Sporadic ALS.
- Familial ALS.
- Guamanian ALS.
Are there two types of ALS?
There are two different types of ALS,
sporadic and familial
. Sporadic, which is the most common form of the disease in the U.S., accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all cases.
How many stages of ALS are there?
In general, though, the progression of ALS can be divided up into
three stages
: early, middle, and late.
Can ALS be prevented?
There is no definite method to prevent ALS
. However, people with ALS can participate in clinical trials, the National ALS Registry, and the National ALS Biorepository. This participation may help researchers learn about potential causes and risk factors of the disease.
What genes are associated with ALS?
SOD1 and C9orf72
are the most common genetic causes for ALS. However, as described above, additional genes are associated with the disease. ALS1, associated with a mutation in SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1) gene.
Can you be born with ALS?
ALS is inherited in 5% to 10% of people. For the rest,
the cause isn't known
. Researchers continue to study possible causes of ALS . Most theories center on a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors.
Does ALS start in one limb?
Disease onset often occurs in one of two distinct ways:
Limb Onset
ALS or Bulbar Onset ALS. While disease onset is usually focal (symptoms start in one specific site – either limb or bulbar), multifocal (symptoms start in multiple sites) onset is possible and can occur in both limbs and bulbar regions simultaneously.
Does ALS affect one side of the body first?
Although ALS affects both sides of the body,
atrophy may start on one side
, becoming symmetrical as the disease progresses.
Does ALS start with muscle twitching?
The onset of ALS may be so subtle that the symptoms are overlooked. The earliest symptoms may include
fasciculations
(muscle twitches), cramps, tight and stiff muscles (spasticity), muscle weakness affecting a hand, arm, leg, or foot, slurred and nasal speech, or difficulty chewing or swallowing.
