21/06/2026 22:27 - Actualidad
Ilustración médica de neuronas y conexiones neuronales brillantes en tonos azules y violetas sobre fondo limpio, representando el sistema nervioso y la esperanza en los avances científicos para la ELA
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease in English-speaking countries, is a rare neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive loss of motor neurons in both the brain and spinal cord. It affects between 1 and 3 people per 100,000 inhabitants worldwide.
This condition progressively weakens muscles and can eventually lead to paralysis, affecting both upper and lower limbs as well as the muscles responsible for swallowing and speech production.
Argentina, with a population of approximately 46 million people, faces significant challenges in addressing this condition:
| Data Point | Figure |
|---|---|
| Annual new cases | 900 to 1,000 |
| Total people with ALS | 3,000 to 3,300 |
| Most affected age group | Over 40 years old |
| Highest incidence range | 50 to 70 years old |
| Gender prevalence | More common in men |
Dr. Ricardo Reisin, consultant at the Neurology Department of the Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires (British Hospital of Buenos Aires, one of Argentina's most prestigious medical institutions), explained that although there is no definitive cure, research advances are encouraging.
In Argentina, the medications approved for ALS treatment are:
Additionally, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved the use of Tofersen for patients with ALS and pathogenic variants in the SOD1 gene, representing significant progress for a specific subgroup of patients representing about 2% of all ALS cases.
ALS diagnosis is primarily clinical, although electromyographic studies are also useful. There is no single test or imaging study that can establish the diagnosis alone, making it what doctors call a diagnosis of exclusion.
Dr. Reisin emphasized that early detection allows:
Early treatment initiation
Motor rehabilitation plan
Speech therapy support
Pulmonary treatment when indicated
ALS is characterized by progressive muscle weakness that can evolve toward paralysis. In advanced stages, patients may experience:
Approximately 10% of patients have a familial form of the disease (meaning it runs in families), while the remaining 90% is sporadic. Advances in genetics have made it possible to identify that up to 50% of patients may have cognitive impairment associated with ALS, affecting decision-making and behavior.
Dr. Reisin noted that drugs in clinical trial research processes to test their efficacy and safety in ALS have multiplied, allowing for cautious optimism in the search for more effective treatments to combat the disease.
Researchers continue working on new therapeutic options that could significantly improve patients' and their families' quality of life. The global scientific community maintains active collaboration through organizations such as the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
