Abstract
This paper assesses amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a motor condition most commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. The purpose of this paper is to make the reader aware not only of the symptoms and the general physiological condition of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - hereafter referred to as ALS - but also the problems that this motor condition has on the patient. A review of the applicable data is used in order to better define and describe the symptoms and the physiological effects of ALS. This data is incorporated into the structure of the paper, rather than presented as an independent chapter.

Abstract
The paper relates that Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a disease which progresses rapidly, is always fatal, and has an uncertain pathogenesis (Mitchell and Borasio 2031). The paper relates that the cause of ALS remains unknown, and ALS is a neurological disease which attacks the neurons or nerve cells that ultimately control voluntary muscles. The paper explains that because the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons are involved, ALS is part of a category of disorders known as neuron motor diseases. The paper further explains that motor neurons are nerve cells found in the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord which serve as controlling units and crucial communication links between the nervous system and the voluntary muscles.

From the Paper
"Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a disease which progresses rapidly, is always fatal, and has an uncertain pathogenesis (Mitchell & Borasio 2031). The cause of ALS remains unknown. ALS is a neurological disease which attacks the neurons or nerve cells that ultimately control voluntary muscles. Because the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons are involved, ALS is part of a category of disorders known as neuron motor diseases. Motor neurons are nerve cells found in the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord which serve as..."

Tags:als, symptoms, treatment

Abstract
This paper first explains that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration and destruction of motor neurons in the spinal cord and the brain, eventually leading to paralysis and death. The paper then reviews the pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this illness and reports that there are still no known medications and medical procedures that can reverse the effects of ALS or prevent its onset. However, the paper indicates that extensive research to understand the mechanism of the disease is promising and could produce a significant breakthrough.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Pathophysiology
Current Research
Signs and Symptoms
Screening and Diagnosis
Electromyogram (EMG)
Nerve Conduction Study (NCS)
Imaging
Spinal Tap
Muscle Biopsy
Blood and Urine Tests
Treatment
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The initial symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are typically observed in the distal portions of the body such as the hands and feet. The symptoms then slowly spread to the more proximal portions of the body including the trunk and neck. When the disease has begun to spread to these areas, the bulbar functions of speaking, swallowing and breathing begin to be affected. These body functions are named as such because they are controlled by the motor neurons found in the bulb-like portion of the brain stem."

Tags:complications, predisposition ratio, motor neurons, types riluzole

Abstract
This paper discusses Noel David Earley's fight against Lou Gehrig's disease and his public fight against Rhode Island's law forbidding assisted suicide. The paper defines both passive and active euthanasia and thoroughly discusses the advantages of both, touching on the reasons one would want to commit assisted suicide.

From the Paper
"Bow'sprit - n. Nautical. A spar, extending forward from the stem of a ship, to which the stays of the foremast are fastened. This simple sailing term would be the first indicator of the disease that would try to take Noel David Earley's life. In the spring of 1995 when Earley wanted to look up this word in the Mariner's dictionary, he noticed he couldn't go up on his toes when reaching for the book. A few weeks later the diagnosis came: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A neurological disorder, ALS causes progressive motor loss of the voluntary muscles due to destruction of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As all voluntary muscle action becomes affected, patients in the later stages of the disease become totally paralyzed. The disease is progressive, relentless and fatal, with no treatment to stop or reverse it. Earley knew this grim prognosis. Ever since the day the doctor broke the news, he was logged on to a computer at a hospital library, absorbing all he could from medical texts and journals."

Tags:active, assisted, david, disease, earley, euthanasia, gehrigs, human, illness, island, killing, lou, mercy, noel, passive, physician, rhode, rights, suffering, suicide, terminal

Abstract
This paper is an examiniation of ALS, or amyotrophic laterial sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. The pathophysiological aspects of the disease are examined.

From the Paper
"Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of upper and lower motor neurons. The terms ALS and motor neurone disease (MND) are often used interchangeably, although ALS is the most common form of MND. About 10% of ALS cases are inherited; the remainder are believed to be sporadic cases. Neuropathologically, ALS is characterized by progressive degeneration of upper motoneurons (corticospinal neurons, and lower motoneurons in the spinal cord and brain stem, and gliosis, resulting in progressive..."

Tags:als, lou gerigh, disease

Abstract
The paper relates that playing baseball and attending games at every level of competition is a long and proud tradition in Asheville, North Carolina. The paper reveals that for more than one-hundred years, generations of Asheville youngsters have grown up playing baseball on the city's diamonds and many minor league players from all over the United States have played for the Asheville Tourists. The paper describes how some have gone on to play baseball at the major league level, including Hall of Famers such as Willie Stargell, and legendary players such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig have played at McCormick Field in exhibition games.

From the Paper
"Playing baseball and attending games at every level of competition is a long and proud tradition in Asheville, North Carolina. For more than one-hundred years, generations of Asheville youngsters have grown up playing baseball on the city's diamonds and many minor league players from all over the United States have played for the Asheville Tourists. Some have gone on to play baseball at the major league level, including Hall of Famers such as Willie Stargell, and legendary players such as Babe Ruth..."

Tags:baseball, in, asheville

Abstract
In "Tuesdays With Morrie", Mitch Albom uses a personalized narrative strategy to link the reader to his own story of triumph over the mundane and courage in the face of death. This paper shows how, through his descriptions of his mentor, Morrie Schwartz, Albom portrays a sensitive and highly intelligent man whose mind remains active while his body is being ravaged by Lou Gehrig's disease. The paper also discusses the underlying message of the narrative, that of the necessity of deep self-actualization within a superficial society.

From the Paper
"These lessons take place in an insular, emotionally-charged world created and inhabited by the two men, in which the author remarks that he is at last "really listening to someone - without trying to sell them something, pick them up, recruit them, or get some kind of status in return - how often do we get this anymore?" (Albom, p. 137). The two discuss life in general and try to create a paradigm of emotional and spiritual success in life. They come to the conclusion that regrets are only natural, and that living life should include a universal embrace of both the good and bad that comes their way."

Tags:death, pop, culture

Abstract
The paper presents a letter to Stephen Hawking about his disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's Disease.

From the Paper
"Dear Stephen Hawking, I am taking this opportunity to present to you information about your disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I will begin with an introduction to the pathophysiology of the disease and then discuss new advances in research concerning this pathophysiology. I will present new research from this decade and new treatments and approaches to care of this disease. The pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's Disease, includes a progressive neurodegenerative process that involves the nerve cells located in the brain and in the spinal..."

Tags:Letter, to, Stephen, Hawking

Abstract
Ever since Mad Cow Disease sparked terror in international headlines, the public has been concerned about eating beef. Mad Cow Disease is not, however, the first or only prion-caused disease. Several others, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and kuru in humans and a host of agricultural animal disorders join Mad Cow in both cause and effects, the major effect being horror. This paper argues that, while the presence on the planet of a disease that literally lays waste to human brain tissue is frightening, there are two probabilities that can be seen as reasons not to be terrified. Instead, people could be hopeful that research sparked by the publicity surrounding Mad Cow Disease will eventually bring answers to such sociologically and medically devastating diseases as Alzheimer's Disease, and other lesser known but just as deadly diseases such as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The paper shows that these two probabilities are first, that prion-caused diseases are much less prevalent than media hype would indicate and, second, that a cure or vaccination is relatively certain to be discovered in the near to medium term.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
Methods
Discussion
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Questions have arisen regarding why these particles are not attacked by the body's defense mechanisms, and the answer, Mahy noted, is that they are so odd, they are simply not recognized and therefore cannot be neutralized. Prions contain no nucleic acid and are therefore extremely " extremely resistant to inactivation by chemical or physical interventions that would inactivate viruses" (Mahy 1998) because there is no vector through which to deliver the 'poison'. Even more so than viruses, then, it is reasonable to wonder whether prions are, in fact, alive. And if they are not alive, then how can they infect an organism? Do they replicate like bacteria and viruses, or what?"

Tags:Stanley, Prusiner, protein, sterilization, kuru

Abstract
This is an argumentative paper on physician-assisted suicide that makes the case for legalizing the procedure through public policy that gives terminally ill patients the right to die. It also discusses the issue of individual dignity.

From the Paper
"Physician-assisted suicide remains a highly controversial issue. While some view it as a moral issue that goes against medical ethics and religious beliefs, others view it as an individual right and more about money than .."

Tags:suicide, Kevorkian, Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), pain, suffering, dignity, morality, religion, Attorney General Ashcroft, Oregon