Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a progressive, usually fatal disease caused by the degeneration of the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement.

Lou Gehrig, with whom ALS is most commonly associated, first brought national and international attention to the disease back in 1939 when he abruptly retired from professional baseball after being diagnosed with ALS.  To learn more about Lou Gehrig, visit www.lougehrig.com.

Although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, there is a wealth of new scientific understanding about the physiology of this disease, and a growing volume of information on the Internet for ALS families.

Families facing ALS, no doubt have many questions.  Some common questions and answers about coping with the disease are available at the ALS Association website.