Merit Cudkowicz is a scientist, a doctor, a researcher, and is both the director of the Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS and Chief of Neurology at Mass General Hospital in Boston. During our conversation, Merit talks about her journey to becoming a doctor and provides a definition of ALS, commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." She also discusses her interest in ALS, describes its symptoms and how it affects those who have it, the influence of genes and environment on its development, how one can live to mitigate one's risk of getting ALS, what we don't yet know about its onset, current research to fight the disease, and reasons for hope.To me, ALS is one of the most terrifying diseases a human being can get: normal psychological and intellectual function as one's body deteriorates, eventually resulting in a total inability to move, swallow, and eventually, breathe. Merit is optimistic about the future of our ability to understand and combat this horrible illness, and if she's correct, it will be because of the hard work, brilliance, and determination of people like her.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on Spotify------------

Introduction

Early life and interest in Science and Medicine

Building interest in immunology

Getting introduced to ALS

The experience of witnessing someone go through ALS

What is meant by ALS?

The most common symptoms of ALS

The tests used to diagnose ALS

How long ALS has been around in the world

Lou Gehrig’s battle with ALS

What causes the muscular deterioration leading to ALS?

Preventing ALS

Probable lifestyle factors causing ALS

The appropriate level of stress in humans

The influence of an unhealthy lifestyle in causing life-threatening diseases

Recommendations for a healthy lifestyle

The role of inflammation in causing disease in humans

The factors triggering high inflammation levels in humans

The future of ALS research and treatment

Hope for people with genetic reasons for ALS

Identifying the first changes in people with ALS

The scope for more robust research around ALS

The progress made in our fight against ALS

Other ALS researchers to follow

Potentially helpful treatment options for ALS

Available resources for people with ALS

The evolutionary reasons for the existence of ALS

Using psychedelics to treat ALS

: Are people ever cured of ALS?