Glial cells in ALS: the missing link?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was initially known as Charcot's sclerosis, named after the French neurobiologist and physician Jean-Martin Charcot who first described this type of muscular atrophy in the early nineteenth century. In the United States, ALS became widely known as Lou Gehrig's disease after the famous baseball player who succumbed to the disease in the late 1930s. Currently, ALS is the most common motor neuron disease, with a worldwide incidence of 8 cases per 100,000 population per year. Familial forms constitute approximately 5% to 10% of all cases. Onset increases with age, with a peak in the seventh decade and a slight preponderance (relative risk, 1.3-1.5) among men compared with women. Rapid progression of motor neuron loss leads to death an average of 3 to 5 years after symptom onset. The cause of ALS remains unknown and there is still no curative therapy.
Raibon
Elsa
E
Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Box 356465, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Todd
Lisa Marie
LM
Möller
Thomas
T
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents