0
"In about 10% of cases, ALS is caused by a genetic defect. In other cases, the cause is unknown.
In ALS, nerve cells (neurons) waste away or die, and can no longer send messages to muscles. This eventually leads to muscle weakening, twitching, and an inability to move the arms, legs, and body. The condition slowly gets worse. When the muscles in the chest area stop working, it becomes hard or impossible to breathe on one's own.Except for having a family member who has a hereditary form of the disease, there are no known risk factors."
...See related links.
+---------------------------------+
Scientists do not really know what causes ALS, although researchers do have a few ideas:
- In 90-95 percent of people, there is no known cause and scientists call the disease "sporadic ALS."
- In 5-10 percent of people, the disease is passed down through the families; scientists call it "familial ALS." A child who is born to somebody with familial ALS has a 50-percent chance of getting the disease.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What causes sporadic ALS?
Sporadic ALS has no known cause. While many environmental toxins have been suggested as causes, to date no research has confirmed any of the candidates investigated, including aluminum and mercury and lead from dental fillings.
Does Kesha support any ethical causes?
To be honest, I have no idea! Probably not.
How does a person get ALS?
We don't really know what causes ALS, but we do know that it can strike any adult at any time. While the usual age at onset is between 45 and 65, people as young as 17 have been diagnosed in the past. Between 5 and 10% of ALS cases are found in the same families, meaning that they are "familial", and are definitely linked genetically. But for the most part, diagnosis is sporadic and we don't know how it is caused.
How can scientists make a stopwatch that freezes time?
Scientists have not figured out a way to stop time. They don't even know if stopping time is possible. Any idea of a stopwatch to do this is pure fiction.
Are more epidemiologists male or female?
Epidemiologists are scientists who investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in humans, and can be of any gender.
How many people have ALS in the US?
Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. There are approximately 30,000 cases of ALS in the U.S. at any given time. the real question is how do you get it or how can u get it
Did gregor mendel build on any other scientists idea's?
no because he was very poor to go to school. he did not know about any other scientist. he got his own ideas
What rhymes with crystals?
BristoldistalpistolschnitzeldrizzlemistralPistol?
Did nicolaus coppernicus win any major awards?
The idea of an "award" for a major achievement is a relatively modern concept, and was not in use for scientists and astronomers back then.
How does a hypothesis help scientists understand natural world?
It's an idea which can leard to theory and/or fact. Any ideas will help, even the ones that sound crazy
Is there any treatments or cures for ALS?
A number of homeopathic remedies have been attempted in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease). However, to date, none of them have shown significant effectiveness.
What scientists were not involved in the discovery of radioactivity?
Any scientists who were NOT Marie and Pierre Curie.
