Familial ALS

Familial ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a type of motor neuron disease inherited from family members. It causes progressive loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Unlike sporadic ALS, familial ALS is linked to specific genetic mutations passed down through generations. Approximately 5-10% of ALS cases are familial. Awareness, genetic testing, and research help in understanding and managing this inherited form, although there is currently no cure.