Scientists from 13 medical centers have collaborated in identifying a gene that appears to cause Lou Gehrig's disease, and the findings suggest the illness may be treatable by existing drugs.The discovery, reported in the journal Nature, might also help explain the more subtle changes that accompany normal aging and open the door to ways of slowing the aging process.
Lynn Klein of The ALS Association, which helped pay for the study, called the finding the biggest discovery so far in research into Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
"We've been saying for a long time that there is light at the end of the tunnel. This is a big beacon."
Lou Gehrig's disease is a progressively paralyzing illness that affects an estimated 30,000 Americans at any given time. It's named for the New York Yankees star who died of the illness in 1941.
The researchers said the newly identified gene helps the body destroy toxic substances called free radicals. If it is defective, free radicals may build up and damage tissue, they said.
If that causes ALS, drugs that destroy free radicals may be able to slow or halt the disorder, researchers said.
"It raises the possibility that antioxidant therapies may be beneficial, but clearly more investigation is going to be required," said Dr. Robert Brown Jr., senior author of the new report.