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 & heredity: there are several genetic mutations linked to ALS. These include SOD1, C9ORF72, TDP-43 and FUS. Most people with the familial form of ALS have a 50% chance of passing the disease to each child.

It’s normal to be concerned about the potential genetic risk of ALS. Support for people with ALS and their families is available through ALS clinics such as at the MNI, the CHUM, and the CHU de Québec. For contact information for these clinics, please click here. If these clinics are not accessible to you, please contact us at info@sla-quebec.ca for support in accessing genetic counseling/testing.

• Age: The risk of developing ALS increases with age. 
• 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