Jason Becker is an American (Richmond, California) neo-classical metal guitarist and a composer as well. When he was just 16, he became part of the Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. After Cacophony broke up in 1989, Jason released his first solo album Perpetual Burn in 1988. Other solo albums from him includes Perspective (1995), The Raspberry Jams (1999), The Blackberry Jams (2003), Collection (2008). He was on his way to success. However, it was hampered by his then diagnosed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and was given three to five years to live. Becker eventually lost the ability to speak and now communicates with his eyes via a system developed by his father. Even the disease couldn’t keep him away from something he is so passionate about. “The End Of The Beginning” a symphonic instrumental song that he composed after his disability is a masterpiece.

About the Disease:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons carry messages about movement from the brain to the muscles, but in ALS the motor neurons degenerate and die. Hence, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. When muscles aren’t used for a long time, they atrophy & fasciculate. Eventually, all the voluntary muscles get affected. People with ALS lose the ability to move their arms, legs, mouth, and body. It may also affect the muscles used for breathing and the person might need a ventilator to breathe. People with ALS can generally live 3 to 10 years after diagnosis. The disease can also cause personality and behavior changes.

Kinds:

1. Sporadic : It si the most common form of ALS in the United States.
2. Familial : It is the one occurring more than once in a family lineage (genetic dominant inheritance) accounts for a very small number of cases in the US.
3. Guamanian : A kind which was observed extremely high in Guam and the Trust Territories of the Pacific in the 1950′s.

Sufferers:

1. Commonly between the ages of 40 and 70, but younger people may also develop it.
2. Men are affected more often than women.
3. About 90-95% of ALS cases appear at random (no one in the person’s family has the disorder)

Causes:

The exact cause of ALS is unidentified. Researchers identified a link between ALS and Chromosome 21. Two years later, a particular gene, SOD1, was identified as being associated with about 20% of the inherited cases in families. SOD1 controls an enzyme that breaks down free radicals, harmful particles that attacks cells from the inside and cause their death. Since not all inherited cases are connected to this gene, and some people are the only ones in their families with ALS, other genetic causes must exist.

Symptoms:

Early Symptoms:

1. twitching and cramping of the muscles, especially those in the hands and feet
2. muscle weakness in the arms or legs
3. loss of motor control in the arms or legs
4. general weakness and fatigue
5. tripping and falling
6. dropping things
7. slurred or thick speech
8. difficulty chewing or swallowing
9. uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying

Progressive Symptoms:

1. shortness of breath
2. difficulty breathing
3. difficulty swallowing
4. difficulty chewing
5. tight and stiff muscles
6. complete paralysis

Treatment:
Present there is no treatment for this disease but medication includes a drug called riluzole which is aimed at symptomatic relief, prevention of complications and maintenance of maximum optimal function and optimal quality of life.

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Last updated: June 3, 2010

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