Positive clinical trial points to a possible additional option for patients with ALS. Dr. Stephen Goutman explains the excitement and the caution.
from the M Health Lab Blog by Haley Otman
A new drug combination could help slow the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, on patients’ day-to-day ability to function, such as eating independently, walking and speaking.
“ALS is a disease where the motor neuron cells die, and the hope with this drug is, if given early, it may slow the death of these motor neuron cells that lead to weakness and progression of ALS,” says Stephen Goutman, M.D., director of the Michigan Medicine Pranger ALS Clinic(link is external) and one of the researchers who led a trial site for the drug.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is fatal, so any new treatments offer hope for those living with the disease.
“This is an exciting study and I’m glad we could allow our patients at the Pranger ALS Clinic to participate,” Goutman says. “However, the need for a cure still exists and we remain committed to continuing this work.”
