Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neuro-degenerative disease. The main symptoms are muscle weakness and atrophy. It starts from hand and gradually involves all limbs. Muscles weaken and atrophy gradually. Finally, the brain completely loses the ability to control voluntary movement. If respiratory muscles are involved, patients will be unable to breathe and die. The cause of ALS is unknown. There is no effective treatment yet. Riluzole showed its effect of delaying disease in clinical trials and it is the only available drug to treat ALS.
How is Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treated in practice?