General

A disease in which the body produces an immunogenic (i.e., immune system) response to some constituent of its own tissue. In other words the immune system loses its ability to recognize some tissue or system within the body as "self" and targets and attacks it as if it were foreign.

The progressive loss of muscle mass, or wasting, caused by reduction in the size or number of muscle cells. It is one of the later symptoms of ALS.

A method to analyze or quantify a substance in a sample. An assay is an analysis done to determine: 1. The presence of a substance and the amount of that substance. 2. The biological or pharmacological potency of a drug.

A chemical compound or substance that inhibits oxidation.

Substances that are capable of causing the production of antibodies. Antigens may or may not lead to an allergic reaction.

A defense protein that binds to foreign molecules to allow elimination of the foreign molecule.

One of the 20 building blocks of protein.

A form of degenerative brain disease resulting in progressive mental deterioration with disorientation, memory disturbance and confusion. Alzheimer's leads to progressive dementia, often accompanied by dysphasia and/or dyspraxia. The condition may also give rise ultimately to spastic weakness and paralysis of the limbs, epilepsy and other variable neurological signs.

Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease marked by gradual degeneration of the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement.

• Symptoms commonly appear in middle to late adulthood.
• The of cause of ALS is unknown
• There is no known cure

Indivi

Documents and directives, such as a living will that are completed and signed by a person who is legally competent to explain the patients wishes for medical care should the patient become unable to make these decisions for themselves.