Summary
Eric Dane, an actor famous for his roles in "Grey's Anatomy" and "Euphoria," died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 53. ALS is a serious disease of the nervous system that affects muscle control and worsens over time. It is rare, with a small number of cases being inherited, and there's currently no cure for it.
Key Facts
- Eric Dane, an actor, passed away from ALS at age 53.
- ALS affects nerve cells connected to the spinal cord and brain, causing muscle control loss.
- The disease is also called Lou Gehrig's disease, named after a famous baseball player who had it.
- ALS is rare, with about 33,000 U.S. cases in 2022, projected to rise to over 36,000 by 2030.
- Men are slightly more likely to get ALS, usually between ages 40 and 60.
- Initial symptoms may include muscle twitching and weakness.
- Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure; patients typically live 2-5 years after symptoms start.
- There is no cure, but some drugs can help manage the symptoms or extend life expectancy slightly.
