Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: SpaceShouldBeMilitarized on 10/11/2010 20:31:57
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I am wondering what people's thoughts are on the future for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. I have chatted with neurosurgeons on the internet and they typical tell me that there seems to be progress in the disease. My mother's partner died from ALS two months ago, and the disease robbed him of his dignity (he could not walk, go to the bathroom, change himself or turn over while sleeping, or trying to sleep). They say ALS is a progressive neurological disorder which eventually robs the body of it's ability to control its voluntary muscles, while keeping it's cognitive and non-voluntary muscles in full tact (at least 99.9% of the time). With all the neurotransmitters dying, it seems to me that perhaps we can only defeat this disease by replacing the dying ones with artificial ones? Perhaps by stem cells or with tiny - cyborg like robotics? What are your thoughts?