A New Drug For A Relentless Brain Disease

Short Wave

NPR

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4.7 • 6K Ratings

🗓️ 5 October 2022

⏱️ 13 minutes

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Summary

ALS is a disease that destroys the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord we need for voluntary movement. There is no cure, but now there is a newly approved medication that may slow down the disease and extend patients' lives. The drug, called Relyvrio, got its start with a couple of college students, some "ice bucket challenge" money, and a new approach to targeting this disease. Neuroscience correspondent Jon Hamilton checks in with host Emily Kwong about why some advisors aren't persuaded the drug works and how you weigh promising but limited evidence against the backdrop of a 100% fatal disease with hardly any other treatment options?

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to shortwave from NPR.
0:04.6	Hey, shortwaveers, Emily Quang here with our resident brain correspondent John Hamilton
0:10.1	JJ Hammer.
0:11.1	You're here to talk about some good news from the world of ALS research.
0:16.2	John, let's start with defining ALS.
0:18.1	What is it?
0:19.1	ALS or anyotrophic lateral sclerosis is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
0:24.6	And a way a lot of people know it.
0:25.8	Emily, you might remember this is the ice bucket challenge.
0:28.8	Oh, yes, those viral videos of people like dumping ice water onto their heads to raise
0:33.6	money for ALS research.
0:35.1	Exactly.
0:36.1	That's the disease we're talking about.
0:37.7	It gradually destroys the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that we need for what
0:42.3	scientists call voluntary movement.
0:44.1	So the cells that control the muscles that allow us to walk and talk to chew food, to swallow,
0:50.4	even to breathe.
0:52.2	About 6,000 people a year in the US are diagnosed with ALS and most of them die within two
0:57.4	to five years.
0:58.8	It is a disease with a really devastating prognosis.
1:02.6	So what is this new development?
1:04.7	The potentially good news is that the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug
	...

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