Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is a rare disease, with an estimated 5,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States. ALS is a disease that gradually hinders individuals’ ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe. The prognosis of ALS is guarded.