Dr. Jonathan D. Glass on a new clinical trial for a treatment of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's Disease) to be conducted at Emory University. The initial trial is a safety test and involves injects therapeutic stem cells into the spinal cord. If the initial trial shows treatment in safe, a Phase II trial will be conducted to test the therapeutic values of the treatment, i.e. does it work? About ALS Commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease for the popular New York Yankees baseball player who died of it in 1941, ALS is a devastating disease that kills the motor neuron cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the brain to lose ability to control muscles in the body. It inevitably leads to paralysis and problems with swallowing, eating, and breathing. The persons mental capacity remains intact, making the disease a cruel sentence for patients who are often otherwise healthy and active before being diagnosed. The Emory ALS Center The Emory ALS Center is designed and dedicated to providing comprehensive care for people and families with ALS and related motor neuron diseases. Emory is recognized nationally as an ALS referral center by both the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and the ALS Association. Since1997, the Emory ALS Center has grown to be one of the premier centers for ALS care in the United States. In addition, Emory has been selected by the MDA as one of five national centers as part of a Clinical Research Network to speed and support ALS research. Related Links Video: ALS Patient Stories whsc.emory.edu/home/multimedia/videos/als-borrowed-time.html On borrowed time whsc.emory.edu/home/publications/health-sciences/emory-health/fall09/on-borrowed-time.html Emory ALS Center www.neurology.emory.edu/ALS/

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