The recent death of Stephen Hawking, who famously lived with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brought to the forefront further attention to this progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
             Although there is no cure or treatment that halts ALS, doctors at the University of Kansas Health System have continued to work hard to provide world-class treatment for ALS patients. The health system is among the first in the country to use a new FDA-approved drug for ALS patients.

Radicava is an intravenous infusion that must be prescribed by a doctor and is administered in 28-day cycles. It has been found to slow down the deterioration of daily muscle functions in patients.

Dr. Omar Jawdat has served as the ALS clinic director at The University of Kansas Health System and has overseen the treatment of more than 70 patients with Radicava over the past year.  “It is essential for us to present to patients with ALS, the most up to date data about new therapies, and give them the chance to try new therapies like Radicava. This will give our patients hope, and encourage participation in research to develop future ALS treatments,” said Jawdat.

In the video, Dr. Richard Barohn, a neurologist at The University of Kansas Health System, who also treats ALS patients and has researched the disease for decades, talks about ALS, its symptoms, the traditional treatments and their effectiveness. He also talks about the new drug, why it’s so significant, and what the future holds for ALS patients.