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Rachel V Thomas

Grey’s Anatomy Star Russell Andrews Opens Up About ALS Diagnosis

After Eric Dane, another Grey’s Anatomy star, Russell Andrews has revealed that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The 64-year-old actor shared that he was diagnosed with the fatal disease in 2025, CNN reported. 

“I am a person living with ALS,” said Andrews, known for his roles in Straight Outta Compton and Better Call Saul, alongside his fiancée, Erica Tazel.

“I was diagnosed in the late fall of last year,” he added. 

ALS currently has no cure, and people diagnosed with the disease typically live three to five years after diagnosis, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

However, some patients may survive for decades, like in the case of Stephen Hawking, who survived almost 40 years with a disease that usually kills people 14 months after diagnosis. Diagnosed at the age of 21, the noted astrophysicist and cosmologist lived until the age of 76.

Andrews’ co-star <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/greys-anatomy-star-eric-dane-dies-after-als-battle-article-153652416" data-type="tilCustomLink">Eric Dane</a>, who died earlier this year in February at the age of 53, also suffered from ALS. He died around 10 months after publicly revealing his ALS diagnosis.

<h2>Russell Andrews's Early Symptoms Of ALS</h2>Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/greys-anatomy-star-eric-dane-reveals-he-has-als-what-are-the-early-signs-and-risks-article-151400823" data-type="tilCustomLink">Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Eric Dane Reveals He Has ALS- What Are The Early Signs And Risks?</a>

Andrews shared that his initial symptoms included occasional “twitches,” which he first believed were caused by “pinched nerves” in his neck.

Soon after, “I was not able to do things that I normally do,” he said, adding, “I was dropping cups and glasses at night. It felt like things were running up and down my arm at different times, and it was the nerves.”

Andrews also revealed that he lost health insurance during the industry shutdown caused by the strikes, delaying his diagnosis because he was unable to undergo medical evaluations.

Once he regained insurance coverage, doctors quickly referred him to a neurologist, eventually leading to the ALS diagnosis. “Within 15 minutes, the primary care physician said she would like me to see a neurologist,” Andrews said. 

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-bundibugyo-strain-all-you-should-know-about-the-rare-virus-article-154341776" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola Bundibugyo Strain: All You Should Know About The Rare Virus</a>

Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS targets motor neurons, nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for voluntary muscle movement. When these neurons degenerate and die, the brain can no longer communicate with muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure.

Most individuals with ALS retain their cognitive function, but lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe without assistance. The disease progresses over time, with most patients surviving between two and five years following diagnosis. 

ALS presents in unique ways from person to person. It can begin in the limbs (limb-onset) or in muscles related to speaking and swallowing (bulbar-onset). While no cure currently exists, treatment advancements have offered hope for improved quality of life and extended survival.

ALS can affect anyone, though it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 70. According to the CDC, around 5,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, with about 30,000 people living with the disease at any given time. 

Symptoms of ALS can vary widely but often begin with muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, or difficulty with speech or swallowing. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience: 

<ul><li>Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes </li><li>Muscle atrophy, particularly in the hands and legs </li><li>Bulbar symptoms like difficulty speaking (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia) </li><li>Emotional lability (pseudobulbar affect) </li><li>Breathing difficulties </li></ul>While ALS primarily affects motor function, cognitive or behavioral changes occur in up to 50% of patients. Around 10% to 15% may develop frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Though the exact cause of ALS remains unknown, genetic factors play a key role in some cases. Mutations in genes such as SOD1, C9orf72, FUS, and TARDBP are linked to the disease. Environmental triggers, like toxin exposure, viral infections, and intense physical activity, are also being studied. 

ALS is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions through clinical evaluation, EMG tests, genetic screening, and imaging such as MRI. Early diagnosis is essential to access therapies and plan care. 

There is no cure for ALS yet, but treatments like riluzole, edaravone, and tofersen (for those with SOD1 mutations) can slow progression. 

Promising research areas include gene therapy, RNA-targeted treatments, biomarkers like Neurofilament Light Chain, and artificial intelligence for diagnosis and personalized care.

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After Eric Dane, another Grey’s Anatomy star, Russell Andrews has revealed that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The 64-year-old actor shared that he was diagnosed with the fatal disease in 2025, CNN reported. “I am a person living with ALS,” said Andrews, known for his roles in Straight Outta Compton and Better Call Saul, alongside his fiancée, Erica Tazel. “I was diagnosed in the late fall of last year,” he added. ALS currently has no cure, and people diagnosed with the disease typically live three to five years after diagnosis, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. However, some patients may survive for decades, like in the case of Stephen Hawking, who survived almost 40 years with a disease that usually kills people 14 months after diagnosis. Diagnosed at the age of 21, the noted astrophysicist and cosmologist lived until the age of 76. Andrews’ co-star Eric Dane, who died earlier this year in February at the age of 53, also suffered from ALS. He died around 10 months after publicly revealing his ALS diagnosis.  Russell Andrews's Early Symptoms Of ALSAlso read: Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Eric Dane Reveals He Has ALS- What Are The Early Signs And Risks?Andrews shared that his initial symptoms included occasional “twitches,” which he first believed were caused by “pinched nerves” in his neck. Soon after, “I was not able to do things that I normally do,” he said, adding, “I was dropping cups and glasses at night. It felt like things were running up and down my arm at different times, and it was the nerves.” Andrews also revealed that he lost health insurance during the industry shutdown caused by the strikes, delaying his diagnosis because he was unable to undergo medical evaluations. Once he regained insurance coverage, doctors quickly referred him to a neurologist, eventually leading to the ALS diagnosis. “Within 15 minutes, the primary care physician said she would like me to see a neurologist,” Andrews said.  What Is ALS?Read More: Ebola Bundibugyo Strain: All You Should Know About The Rare VirusAlso known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS targets motor neurons, nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for voluntary muscle movement. When these neurons degenerate and die, the brain can no longer communicate with muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure. Most individuals with ALS retain their cognitive function, but lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe without assistance. The disease progresses over time, with most patients surviving between two and five years following diagnosis. ALS presents in unique ways from person to person. It can begin in the limbs (limb-onset) or in muscles related to speaking and swallowing (bulbar-onset). While no cure currently exists, treatment advancements have offered hope for improved quality of life and extended survival. ALS can affect anyone, though it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 70. According to the CDC, around 5,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, with about 30,000 people living with the disease at any given time. Key Symptoms Of ALSSymptoms of ALS can vary widely but often begin with muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, or difficulty with speech or swallowing. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience: Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes Muscle atrophy, particularly in the hands and legs Bulbar symptoms like difficulty speaking (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia) Emotional lability (pseudobulbar affect) Breathing difficulties While ALS primarily affects motor function, cognitive or behavioral changes occur in up to 50% of patients. Around 10% to 15% may develop frontotemporal dementia (FTD). What Leads To ALS? Though the exact cause of ALS remains unknown, genetic factors play a key role in some cases. Mutations in genes such as SOD1, C9orf72, FUS, and TARDBP are linked to the disease. Environmental triggers, like toxin exposure, viral infections, and intense physical activity, are also being studied. ALS is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions through clinical evaluation, EMG tests, genetic screening, and imaging such as MRI. Early diagnosis is essential to access therapies and plan care. There is no cure for ALS yet, but treatments like riluzole, edaravone, and tofersen (for those with SOD1 mutations) can slow progression. Promising research areas include gene therapy, RNA-targeted treatments, biomarkers like Neurofilament Light Chain, and artificial intelligence for diagnosis and personalized care.

grey’s anatomy star russell andrews opens up about als diagnosis

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