Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), is a progressive neurological condition that affects the muscular motor function of the limbs and vital organs. ALS afflicts more than 30,000 Americans; it is most common in patients who are 30-60 years old. It is estimated that 5,500 Americans are diagnosed with this condition each year.

Brought to public attention by 2014’s viral celebrity-filled ALS Bucket Challenge internet videos, common symptoms of ALS include muscle weakness, muscle spasms, depression, lack of appetite, and debilitating loss of coordination.

The condition sometimes affects face and neck muscles, resulting in changes in speech and drooling. ALS results in the degeneration and death of specialized nerves, called motor neurons, located in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscles. Thus, their degradation results in everyday challenges with regard to motor skills and simple movements — and, in extreme cases, paralysis.

Cause Unknown

ALS is a progressive condition; most patients die within three to five years of diagnosis...