Understanding ALS

Treatment

While we do not yet have a cure for ALS, there is treatment. First, there is medicine, Rilutek, which slows the disease progression by decreasing glutamate levels. In addition there are many ongoing Clinical Trials that use agents that target possible causes of the disease. Furthermore, advances in the aggressive treatment of respiratory complications of ALS with noninvasive ventilation and respiratory management as well as aggressive nutritional intervention have provided significant improvements in the morbidity and morality. Finally, there are symptom specific treatments and a multidisciplinary approach utilizing occupational and physical therapists, speech therapists, nutritionists, and nurse specialists that have led to improved quality of life and maximization of function in the person living with ALS. A review of disease specific treatment, clinical trials, and symptom management follows.