Stronger Days Ahead: Advanced Care for ALS

Although there’s no known cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at this time, providers at AHN Neuroscience Institute’s ALS Certified Treatment Center of Excellence have begun to incorporate Qalsody® (tofersen) into treatment plans for certain ALS patients with underlying SOD gene mutations. 

A promising future of ALS care

ALS is characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration leading to muscle weakness, impaired mobility, and declining respiratory, speech, and swallowing function.

While Qalsody does not reverse these symptoms, it is currently the only FDA-approved treatment targeting a known genetic cause of the disease. Designed for patients with an SOD1 gene mutation, Qalsody is administered intrathecally and has been shown to slow disease progression and preserve motor and respiratory function in some patients.*

Although its efficacy is limited to a specific genetic subset, Qalsody marks a pivotal step forward of precision medicine in ALS, opening the door for the development of additional targeted therapies.

“The one thing our ALS patients want is more time. And that’s exactly what this new treatment can provide,” said Sandeep Rana, MD, director of AHN’s ALS Center of Excellence.

Looking ahead, Dr. Rana envisions an era of preventive intervention, identifying individuals with the SOD1 mutation before symptoms appear.

“We’re hopeful that we’ll reach a point where we’re two steps ahead of the disease,” said Dr. Rana.

Why refer to AHN for ALS care?

As a certified Treatment Center of Excellence recognized by the ALS Association in western Pennsylvania, AHN’s ALS center combines support from leading experts with the most effective therapies to improve patients’ quality of life.

Through AHN’s ALS Center of Excellence, patients have access to:

• An interdisciplinary team of nationally recognized physicians, therapists, nutrition experts, and mental health specialists.
• Novel therapies and medications not yet widely accessible.
• A team dedicated to active neuroscience research.

If your patients present with muscle weakness, stiffness, paralysis, or difficulties with speech, swallowing, or respiration, our team can help assess which regions of the nervous system are affected. AHN neuroscience specialists use nerve conduction studies, MRI, EMG, lumbar puncture, and blood and genetic tests to establish accurate diagnoses.

From initial evaluation through long-term disease management, our team provides comprehensive, individualized supports that go beyond standard neurological care.

How to refer

It's never too soon to refer your patients if you think they might be developing or at risk for developing ALS. To refer patients to AHN Neuroscience Institute and our ALS Center of Excellence, call 412-359-8850 or visit ahn.org.