Expert: Exciting, Hopeful Time In ALS Therapy Research

Paul Cellucci has gone public with news that he has ALS. The former Massachusetts governor said he's had symptoms of Lou Gehrig's Disease — as it's also known — for the past four years. But he said "despite some weaknesses," he's "quite well."

ALS attacks the brain and spine, and it causes muscle weakness that progresses to complete paralysis. Currently, there is no cure.

The world's largest independent ALS research center is in the Boston area — the ALS Therapy Development Institute, based in Cambridge. The institute's CEO, Steve Perrin, joined Morning Edition Friday to discuss new developments in therapies and treatments for people living with the disease.