Brain Disorders & Therapy

Abstract

Knowledge of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in Pharmacy Students

Safila Naveed, Asra Hameed and Syeda Maheen Nadeem

A motor neuron disease, known as (ALS) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in which neuronal muscles becomes atrophic. There is a loss of control of the brain on voluntary muscles occurs. Signs and symptoms of the disease vary according to the condition of a patient. There is no specific diagnostic test and treatment yet for this disease. Our survey aimed to find out its awareness among the university students of Karachi, Pakistan. Data of 50 university students was collected and analyzed. A cross-sectional and random method was used to collect data. Different questions were asked the awareness regarding the disease among university students. Only 10% students have basic information regarding this disease. 2% students have information about the signs and symptoms, 2% students have information about the diagnosis, and 4% students have information regarding the treatment strategies of this motor neuron disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in our survey. This survey proved that there is no awareness about ALS or only a negligible awareness among university students in the Karachi city. Even there were many students who heard this term “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)” first time in their lives.