Eric Dane’s Death Shines Light on ALS: What to Know About the Neurological Disorder 

The death of actor Eric Dane has renewed public attention on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. As searches for the condition trend online, many people are learning about this rare but serious neurological disorder for the first time.

Here’s what you need to know

What’s ALS?

ALS is a progressive disorder that affects motor neurons — the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

When these neurons become damaged and die, muscles weaken and shrink over time. Because ALS is progressive, symptoms get worse over time.

What are the symptoms of ALS?

In most cases, ALS begins in the arms or legs. In about one-third of people, symptoms start in the “bulbar” region, affecting speech and swallowing. In rare cases, the disease begins with breathing problems.

Common ALS symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness in arms or legs
• Muscle stiffness and slow movements
• Loss of fine motor skills, such as buttoning clothes
• Muscle cramps and twitching
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty swallowing
• Shortness of breath

Up to half of people with ALS may also experience changes in thinking and behavior, including difficulty with language or decision-making. In a small percentage of cases, ALS can progress to dementia.

What causes ALS?

The exact cause of ALS isn’t fully understood.

About 10 to 15 percent of cases are linked to inherited gene mutations. People with a genetic form of ALS often have a family history of the disease or frontotemporal dementia. However, some patients without a family history may still carry a gene mutation.

Most cases happen without a clear genetic cause.

Risk factors include:

• Age: Risk increases after 40 and peaks around 72. Most patients start to experience symptoms at about 62.
• Sex: ALS is approximately 20 to 50 percent more common in men than women.
• Smoking: Smoking is considered a likely risk factor.

How do you treat and manage ALS?

There’s currently no cure for ALS. However, two FDA-approved medications — riluzole (Rilutek) and edaravone (Radicava) — may offer some benefits and help slow down the disease in some patients.

Because ALS affects many parts of the body, care often involves a team of specialists. Treatment may include:

• Physical and occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Nutritional support
• Breathing support
• Assistive communication devices

A coordinated care approach has been shown to improve both quality of life and survival.

Why does ALS awareness matter?

ALS remains a rare disease, but increased awareness following Eric Dane’s death is prompting more conversations about neurological health, early symptoms, and the importance of supportive care, which is a critical step in supporting individuals and families affected by this progressive disease.

Image: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons