Best known for his role as Dr McSteamy in the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, Eric Dane passed away on Thursday (February 19) at the age of 53 after battling with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease that targets the nerve cells in the brain.
“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family’s statement said_._ The written statement also mentioned that “Dane spent his final days in the company of close friends, his devoted wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world.”
“He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received,” the statement added, according to the news outlet.
What do we know about Eric Dane and his illness?
Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane made his television debut in The Wonder Years in 1993. He tied the knot with fellow actress and model Rebecca Gayheart, with whom he had two kids, Billie and Georgia.
Beyond Grey’s Anatomy, Dane starred as family patriarch Cal Jacobs in the hit HBO teen drama Euphoria. He also took on the role of Jason Dean in the fantasy series Charmed, and played Captain Tom Chandler in the action drama The Last Ship.
In addition to his television work, he appeared in films such as Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day, and Burlesque.
The actor revealed in April last year that
he was diagnosed with ALS. He also revealed that this disease had resulted in the loss of function in his right arm, NDTV reported.
While speaking to ABC News last summer, Dane said that his diagnosis made him “angry”.
“Because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young. And now, you know, there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young,” BBC quoted him as saying.
What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
ALS targets nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord that controls muscle movement, gradually causing patients to lose their ability to speak, eat, walk, and breathe independently. It eventually causes muscles to waste away and makes it harder to breathe, which may lead to life-threatening outcomes. It only gets worse over time.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, ALS was formerly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Gehrig, a renowned baseball player in the 1920s and 1930s, was affected by the condition. There is still no cure or treatment option. The right approach may help slow the disease’s progression and enhance quality of life.
How common is ALS?
ALS globally affects around three to five cases per 100,000 people worldwide. There are around 30,000 people living with ALS in the US at any time, according to the ALS Therapy Development Institute website_._
Around 90 per cent of ALS cases occur sporadically, with no known family history or genetic link. The remaining 10 per cent are inherited due to a mutated gene known to be associated with the disease.
ALS can affect anyone, though certain groups are at higher risk. It is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 40 and 70, with an average age of about 55 at the time of diagnosis. But it can also develop in individuals in their 20s and 30s.
It is 20 per cent more common in men than in women; however, this gap tends to narrow with age. Military veterans are more likely to be diagnosed with ALS compared to the general population, according to the ALS Association website.
In India, there are 1.5 to 2 cases per 100,000 people, lower than in most Western countries, NDTV reported.
What are the symptoms, causes and risk factors?
According to the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic, in ALS, early symptoms often cause muscles to become weak or stiff. These include:
- Muscular weakness and cramps in the arms, legs and neck.
2)Twitching in your hands, feet, shoulders and tongue - Trouble walking or doing usual daily activities.
- One may face trouble speaking or speech challenges, including slurring words and problems in forming words.
5)Involuntary emotional expressions such as laughing, crying or yawning. - Thinking or behavioural changes, trouble swallowing and drooling.
All these can also make everyday tasks like writing or eating more difficult. Over time, symptoms usually spread across the body. Though the rate of symptom progression differs from person to person.
Researchers have not found the precise causes of ALS. However, they believe that it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
From a genetic perspective, around 70 per cent of inherited cases and five-10 per cent of sporadic cases are linked to gene mutations. They are most often in the C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP, and FUS genes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are over 40 related genes.
Environmental factors may also contribute, including exposure to toxins such as lead or mercury, and certain viral infections.
Researchers know that the disease targets motor neurons. These regulate your voluntary movements, such as speaking, chewing, moving your limbs, and breathing. Neurons send signals to your muscles to make them move; however, ALS interferes with this process, disrupting communication like bad phone reception.
Risk factors: Symptoms most commonly appear between the ages of 55 and 75. ALS is more frequently seen in white people. Men face a higher risk than women.
How is ALS treated?
There is no cure for this deadly disease. Medications, therapies or rehabilitation, nutritional support and breathing support are mainly recommended for ALS treatment. Some medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ASL include Riluzole, Edaravone, and Tofersen.
Riluzole may reduce damage to motor neurons, extending survival by a few months. Edaravone can help slow the loss of muscle function, while tofersen may help reduce some nerve cell damage, the Clinic added.
There is currently no confirmed way to prevent ALS. However, ongoing research aims to better understand its causes and risk factors.
With inputs from agencies
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