ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, is a progressive neurological disease that may affect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS causes  degeneration of motor neurons over time that runs from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the body’s muscles. When ALS ravages the nerve cells this causes motor neurons to die, and the brain loses its ability to control muscle movement. Unfortunately patients with ALS may loose their physical abilities and breathing capabilities.

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Research in neuroscience  has shown the root cause behind ALS include a lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain, lack of specific brain chemicals, and brainwave imbalances. Inside the brain, we have billions of brain cells, called neurons. The neurons send electric signals to each other, which are measured as brainwaves. Electrical signals cause the brain cells to release small chemicals called neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline.

For people with ALS, there is often not enough of blood vessels supplying oxygen and important nutrients to the brain.

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