Do not confuse Charcot's disease and multiple sclerosis!

On the occasion of the recent “Ice Bucket Challenge” initiatives circulating on the web to raise awareness about Charcot's disease, it is necessary to specify the differences between multiple sclerosis (MS) and Charcot's disease (ALS).‍

Prof. J.-M. Charcot (1825-1893) described several neurological diseases, some of which bear his name. He was the first to describe multiple sclerosis, which is why the Charcot Foundation bears his name and exclusively funds research related to this disease. In MS, a poorly programmed immune system destroys nerve cells, especially in the brain. So we know the main mechanisms and are beginning to be able to correct them.

In “Charcot's disease” (whose scientific name is “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”) the nerve cells in the spinal cord disappear without, until now, we know why. Without knowing the cause, seeking treatment is difficult.
Since the nature of these two diseases is different, so is the research.

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(photo by Jean-Martin Charcot)

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