Hollywood actor Eric Dane has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The 52-year-old star of Euphoria and Grey’s Anatomy shared the news with People magazine.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,” Dane said. “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of ‘Euphoria’ next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Figure 1: Grey Anatomy’s star Eric Dane diagnosed with ALS
Understanding ALS
ALS is a progressive neurological disorder. It damages the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. These neurons control voluntary muscles. As they deteriorate, they stop sending signals to the muscles. This leads to muscle weakness, twitching, and eventual wasting.
The disease also impairs functions such as walking, talking, swallowing, and breathing. It continues to worsen over time.
Figure 2: Understanding ALS
Symptoms and progression
Early ALS symptoms include muscle twitches, cramps, stiffness, and weakness. People may slur their speech or struggle to swallow. As ALS progresses, these issues spread.
Individuals can develop difficulty chewing, speaking, or maintaining weight. Respiratory problems also emerge, becoming the leading cause of death in most cases.
ALS patients often remain mentally aware. They can experience depression and anxiety as they lose physical function. A small percentage also develop FTD-ALS, a form of dementia.
Causes and risk factors
Most ALS cases occur randomly. These are known as sporadic ALS cases. Only about 10% are inherited.
ALS typically affects people aged 55 to 75. Men are slightly more at risk than women, especially before older age.
White individuals and non-Hispanics face higher risk. Veterans may also have increased risk due to environmental exposures.
Genetic mutations in genes like C9orf72 and SOD1 contribute to familial ALS. A rare childhood version, linked to the SPTLC1 gene, has also been discovered.
Figure 3: Development of ALS
Diagnosis and management
ALS diagnosis involves a detailed medical history and neurological exams. Doctors use tests like EMG, MRI, and lumbar punctures to rule out other diseases.
Currently, no cure exists for ALS. However, treatments aim to slow its progression and improve quality of life.
Approved treatments
The FDA has approved several medications. Riluzole reduces glutamate and may extend survival by a few months.
Edaravone, an antioxidant, slows functional decline in some patients. It is available as an oral or intravenous medication.
Tofersen targets the SOD1 gene mutation. It is injected into the spinal fluid.
Sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol (Relyvrio) was pulled from the market in 2024. A large clinical trial failed to confirm its earlier success.
Doctors also prescribe medications for symptoms like stiffness, drooling, and emotional outbursts.
Figure 4: Approved ALS Treatments
Therapies and support
Physical, occupational, and speech therapies play a vital role. Therapists help patients maintain mobility and communication.
Assistive technologies like speech synthesizers and brain-computer interfaces offer support. Voice banking allows patients to preserve their voice.
Nutritionists guide ALS patients in managing diet. Feeding tubes help reduce choking risks.
Respiratory therapy becomes essential as breathing muscles weaken. Noninvasive ventilation may start at night and increase over time.
Care and quality of life
Integrated care teams support people living with ALS. These include physicians, therapists, social workers, and psychologists.
Caregivers must balance supporting loved ones and managing their own wellbeing. Various services and resources offer assistance.
Eric Dane joins a list of well-known ALS cases
Other notable ALS cases include physicist Stephen Hawking and baseball legend Lou Gehrig.
Stephen Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, and Sesame Street creator Jon Stone also battled ALS.
Outlook for ALS patients
Most people with ALS live three to five years after symptoms begin. About 10% survive more than ten years.
Although incurable, ongoing research continues to seek new treatments. Early diagnosis and comprehensive care remain critical.
Eric Dane’s decision to keep working highlights his resilience. His announcement has drawn support from fans and the entertainment community.
