American actor Eric Dane, known for “Grey’s Anatomy,” died on February 19, 2026, after battling ALS.
What is ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. ALS leads to muscle weakness and atrophy, which in turn results in gradual loss of abilities – initially movement, later swallowing, and eventually even eating.
Early ALS symptoms: what to watch for?
ALS patients experience varied symptoms. However, the most commonly observed are:
Prognosis
It is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 70. However, the disease can also be diagnosed in significantly younger people – including even children. The average life expectancy with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ranges from 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. The main cause of death in ALS patients is respiratory failure.
Diagnosis and importance of genetic testing
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is most often diagnosed when the disease is in a more advanced stage. It takes even 2.5 years from the onset of symptoms to an ALS diagnosis. The diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis includes: a detailed interview with the patient and family, physical examination, laboratory tests, neuroimaging, electrophysiological tests, and genetic tests.
Genetic testing in ALS – why is it crucial?
According to current guidelines, every patient diagnosed with ALS should undergo genetic testing to determine the cause of the disease. Genetic tests can detect mutations even when there were no previous cases of ALS in the family. Approximately 90% of ALS cases are sporadic, and 10% are familial. About 40 genes associated with the disease have been identified.
