ALS, the current neurological disease du jour, has been thrust into the minds of Americans via the now-infamous “Ice Bucket Challenge”. While the cause of this disease is not yet known, researchers have discovered many different players that may be involved. Neurotransmitter receptors, specifically AMPA and NMDA receptors are now being looked at for their participation in ALS. It is being hypothesized that an over-activation of these two receptors can lead to unnatural and damaging pathways in the neurons involved in motor activity. This explains the motor function lost in individuals with the debilitating disease.
Another hard-hitting neurological disease that only lately is beginning to be really talked about may be related to, or even a precursor of ALS. This condition is known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. CTE is a result of repeated damage to the brain, usually concussions, and involves changes in cognitive and behavioral functioning. Some researchers now believe that individuals with CTE are at a much higher risk to develop other neurological impairments, such as ALS.
Research of ALS and CTE are both in their infancy relative to many other human diseases. The little we do know about ALS shows that there is not one cause, but many different aspects of normal neurological functioning that can go wrong. While CTE does not always lead to ALS, and ALS is not only a result of CTE, there is a connection between the two ailments. The ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” has brought much needed attention to the area of neurological diseases and what environmental aspects might lead to them. Does this mean that we have to pull every boy and girl out of all contact sports? I don’t believe a drastic reaction is necessary until further results are out, but parents need to seriously consider their children’s sports and what safety precautions should be carried out to ensure their long-term brain development and health.
CTE to ALS, a Deadly Path
