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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes ALS?

My brother has als..His first symptoms was tripping n then not too long after that, his tongue started shrinking..You really can t understand him now..It s so sad.. Right now he s close to the end.., not eating n drinking n things are stating to shut down.None of our family has ever had anything like that..My question is what in the world causes it? He used to be a painter..
Sat, 17 Jan 2015
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Neurologist,  's  Response
I am really sorry about your brother's disease. As a neurologist I know it is one of the most awful diseases to have in our specialty and frustrating for us clinicians as up to now there hasn't been much we can do about it.

It is hard to answer to your question as well because the cause is not well known. Several genetic mutations have been identified in familial cases, but the exact manner these mutations lead to disease is not always clear and different mutations appear to have different related mechanisms.
Other factors such as toxic or infectious ones have been implicated, but as I said much remains unknown about the genesis of the disease.

I hope you and your family will find the necessary strength in these difficult days.
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What Causes ALS?

I am really sorry about your brother s disease. As a neurologist I know it is one of the most awful diseases to have in our specialty and frustrating for us clinicians as up to now there hasn t been much we can do about it. It is hard to answer to your question as well because the cause is not well known. Several genetic mutations have been identified in familial cases, but the exact manner these mutations lead to disease is not always clear and different mutations appear to have different related mechanisms. Other factors such as toxic or infectious ones have been implicated, but as I said much remains unknown about the genesis of the disease. I hope you and your family will find the necessary strength in these difficult days.