What Is ALS? Understanding the Disease That Killed Eric Dane

The death of actor Eric Dane from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has renewed public attention on a rare but devastating neurological disorder. Best known for his roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Euphoria,” Dane died less than a year after announcing his diagnosis, underscoring the often rapid progression of the disease.

ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, gradually destroys nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. While uncommon, its impact is profound, affecting thousands of families worldwide each year. Health experts say that although awareness has grown in recent decades, effective treatments remain limited.

What is ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a progressive disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As these motor neurons deteriorate and die, they lose the ability to send signals to muscles. Over time, muscles weaken, waste away and eventually become paralyzed.

The condition is also widely known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the Hall of Fame first baseman for the New York Yankees who was diagnosed in 1939 and died two years later. His case brought early public recognition to the illness in the United States.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ALS is rare. Researchers estimated nearly 33,000 cases in the United States in 2022 and project that the number could exceed 36,000 by 2030. The disease is slightly more common in men than in women and most often appears between the ages of 40 and 60.

The exact cause remains unknown. A small proportion of cases are inherited, but most occur sporadically, meaning there is no clear family history. Scientists continue to study potential genetic and environmental factors.

Signs and progression of ALS

Early symptoms of ALS can be subtle and are often mistaken for less serious conditions. The disease may begin with muscle twitching or weakness in one arm or leg. Some people first notice difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or holding a pen.

As the disease advances, muscles gradually lose strength and coordination. Weakness may spread to other limbs, and cramps or stiffness can develop. Speech can become slurred, swallowing may become difficult, and fatigue often increases.

Experts at the University of California San Francisco Health note that ALS typically does not affect the senses. Most people retain their ability to think, see, hear, smell, taste and feel touch, even as muscle control declines. This preservation of cognitive and sensory function can make the physical progression of the illness especially challenging for patients and families.

In later stages, the muscles involved in breathing may become paralyzed. Many patients ultimately die from respiratory failure. Difficulties swallowing can also increase the risk of choking or inhaling food or saliva into the lungs.

How ALS is diagnosed

There is no single test that confirms ALS. Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing and imaging studies to rule out other conditions.

Doctors typically conduct a physical examination and assess muscle strength, coordination and reflexes. Imaging of the brain and spinal cord may be used to exclude other neurological disorders. Blood tests and additional studies can help narrow the diagnosis.

Certain physical signs may raise suspicion of ALS, including muscle twitching, painful cramps, stiffness causing jerky movements, and changes in fine motor control. Because early symptoms overlap with other neurological diseases, diagnosis can take time.

Treatment options and limitations

There is no cure for ALS. Treatment focuses on slowing progression when possible and managing symptoms to maintain quality of life.

Riluzole, one of the approved medications for ALS, has been shown to modestly extend survival in some patients or delay the need for mechanical breathing support. Other medications may help control symptoms such as muscle cramps, spasticity or excess saliva.

In 2024, the drug Relyvrio was withdrawn from the U.S. market by its manufacturer after debate over its clinical benefit. The medication’s development had received financial backing linked to the ALS advocacy community, including fundraising efforts that followed the 2014 “ice bucket challenge,” which significantly increased public awareness and research funding.

As the disease progresses, supportive care becomes central. Patients may require feeding tubes to reduce the risk of choking and ensure adequate nutrition. Assistive devices such as braces, wheelchairs, speech synthesizers and computer-based communication systems can help maintain independence and communication for as long as possible.

Life expectancy and outlook

Survival after the onset of ALS varies widely. Many patients live between two and five years after symptoms begin, though some survive longer. Medical experts note that around one in five patients lives more than five years following diagnosis, and a smaller group may live a decade or more.

Despite advances in supportive care, ALS remains a life-limiting condition. Research efforts continue to focus on understanding its causes and developing more effective therapies. The disease’s unpredictable course and limited treatment options make early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care and ongoing research critical components of the response.

Dane’s death at 53 highlights both the human toll of ALS and the continuing need for scientific progress. While the condition remains rare, its impact extends far beyond those diagnosed, affecting families, caregivers and communities who confront its progression alongside patients.