Who can get ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can affect anyone, regardless of ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, or age. While the disease can affect both young adults and elderly people, it is most often diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60.

Some facts about ALS:

• Approximately 2 people per 100,000 receive an ALS diagnosis each year.
• ALS is not contagious.
• The disease can be familial (hereditary) or sporadic (random).

Sporadic ALS vs Familial ALS

• Sporadic ALS (90% or more of cases): The majority of cases occur randomly, with no family history of the disease. The exact cause remains unknown. 
• Familial ALS (10% or less of cases): A minority of people inherit the disease through a genetic mutation transmitted by a parent. 

What are the risk factors for ALS?

There is no one thing that causes ALS. Rather, ALS is recognized as having multiple interacting causes that are likely based on changes in people’s genes, and possibly contribution of environmental factors. A number of genes have been identified as playing a role in the development of ALS. Through research, we are learning more about ALS and the multiple factors that may trigger its development. 

• Genetics: here are several genetic mutations linked to ALS. These include SOD1, C9ORF72, TDP-43 and FUS. 
• Age: The risk of developing ALS increases with age. 
• Heredity: Most people with the familial form of ALS have a 50 per cent chance of passing the disease to each child. 
• Smoking: Smoking is the only environmental factor to be recognized as having a direct influence on increasing the risk of developing ALS. 

Learn more about ALS

• What is ALS?
• Symptoms and types of ALS 
• Diagnosis and treatments
• Ressources and services available for people touched by ALS

_{Content adapted from the ALS Canada Website, as well as the ALS Guide, which was published in 2019 as a joint project of ALS Societies across Canada.}