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Researchers Find New Genetic Mutation For Lou Gehrig's Disease

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, has been one of the most frustrating conditions for modern medicine. However, now a team of researchers at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins believe they have identified a new genetic mutation for Lou Gehrig's Disease.

They believe this mutation can account for about 33 percent of all inherited cases of the disease. The mutation is about twice as common as all other mutations discovered so far.

This is really important because it suggests that we the most common mutation found to date. However, this does not mean we necessarily have a complete answer.

But with this knowledge, treatments can be developed that attack the genetic origin or the results of it far more effectively.

Reported by Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio 1060

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