ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease that attacks nerve cells called neurons in your brain and spinal cord. These neurons transmit messages from your brain and spinal cord to your voluntary muscles - the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs.

At first, this causes mild muscle problems. Some people notice

• Trouble walking or running

• Trouble writing

Researchers have already shown they can increase muscle mass in mice by manipulating a protein called myostatin. Now, drugs that affect myostatin are claimed to be the best hope yet for people with muscle-wasting diseases like muscular dystrophy and ALS.