February 2, 2001 – The progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), one of the most mysterious and dramatic degenerative diseases, may be delayed. This disease, for which there is no cure, is believed to affect around 70,000 people around the world today. Riluzole (Rilutek®), a drug that has been in existence since 1994, is the first to slightly modify the course of the disease, that is, to delay the death of people with the disease by about three months. This drug has just been approved in Canada for the treatment of ALS and it is also approved in France.
ALS is caused by the breakdown of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. As the disease progresses, people lose the ability to walk, eat, and possibly breathe. The disease progresses very quickly, ranging from three months to about five years.
One of the hypotheses on the cause of the disease, which appears spontaneously in 90% of cases, is a disturbance in the metabolism of glutamate on motor neurons. This would not be recaptured normally and would produce a permanent excitation of the motor neurons which would deteriorate and then eventually die. It seems that riluzole reduces the toxic effect of glutamate on neurons.
According to Dr. Angela Genge, director of the ALS Clinic at the Montreal Neurological Institute, “this is a small but very important first step because it is the first time that it is possible to intervene. on the course of the disease ”.
HealthPassport.net
According to Medical News, December 6, 2000
