New developments in battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Northwestern University researchers say they've discovered clues to the cause of ALS. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

(Evanston, IL) – There are new developments in the battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Chicago Tribune reports researchers at Northwestern University have discovered clues to the cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. They say the discovery may help in the treatment of ALS, and could also lead to better ways of dealing with other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s.

They say more than 30,000 Americans have ALS, and because there’s no known treatment, more than half of the patients die within three years.