
ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – is a progressive degenerative disease that affects the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement, impairing limb movement, phonation, and swallowing. ALS attacks roughly 5000 people in Italy, and cases appear to increase. There is no cure for ALS, however, several factors have been associated with its development, such as specific genes, lifestyle, trauma, and sports activity. The Magnetto Foundation has been supporting for many years CRESLA, a center dedicated to the assistance and study of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis of the City of Health and Science of Turin. The Center, directed by Prof. Adriano Chiò, is a worldwide reference point of the highest level for studying the disease. In particular, the Foundation provides an annual scholarship for hospital activities and scientific research, particularly on the study of the determinants of cognitive impairment in ALS patients.