The Emory ALS Center provides comprehensive care for patients and families with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. We offer compassionate, forward-thinking treatment to help you maintain independence and quality of life for as long as possible.
ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
Compassionate, Expert Care for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
Why Choose Emory Healthcare
The Emory ALS Center is part of the Emory Brain Health Center. It’s one of the largest medical centers for ALS in the United States.
Our dedicated doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, research scientists and others work together to achieve our slogan, “Celebrate Life, Imagine a Cure.” We participate in many clinical trials to better understand ALS.
The Emory ALS Center is recognized as a Treatment Center of Excellence by the ALS Association (ALSA). The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has also designated it a Certified ALS Center.
What is ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease causes you to lose control of your muscles.
Over time, your muscles eventually stop working. You lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe.
Currently, there isn’t a cure for ALS, and people die from it. But treatments can help you live longer and improve your quality of life.
Risk Factors for ALS
The causes of ALS are unknown, but some factors can increase your risk. Among them:
- Age: 55-70 years old
- Genetics: Family history of ALS
- Lifestyle: Exposure to lead or other toxins
- Occupation: Military veterans
- Race and ethnicity: White, non-Hispanic
- Sex: Males
Symptoms of ALS
Symptoms of ALS start slowly and increase over time. They affect everyone differently.
Common signs may include:
- Clumsiness or difficulty performing daily activities
- Drooling
- Falling or tripping
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramping, twitching and weakness in hands, arms or legs
- Problems with thinking and memory
- Shortness of breath
- Slurring speech or trouble swallowing
- Uncontrollable laughing or crying
Diagnosing ALS
It’s hard to diagnose ALS in its early stages because it resembles many other neurological diseases. There’s no single test to diagnose it.
Your doctor will review your health history and discuss your symptoms. You also may have additional tests, such as:
- Blood and urine tests to rule out other conditions
- Genetic testing if you have a family history of ALS
- Electromyogram to check muscle activity
- Imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan of your brain and spinal cord
- Muscle or nerve biopsy to check for other diseases
- Nerve conduction study to look for nerve damage
- Neurologic exam to check your strength, reflexes, sensation and coordination
- Spinal tap to examine spinal fluid
ALS Treatments
We offer research-based treatments and compassionate care for ALS. We work to provide you with more comfort, independence and the best possible quality of life.
Make an Appointment with Emory Neurology & Neurosurgery
Create a MyChart account to schedule online or call 404-778-3444 to schedule an appointment.