A blood test calculates risk through exposure to pesticides. Those with highest exposures had double the risk of developing this fatal neurological disease.

A fatal diagnosis with no known cure may soon be predictable.

Scientists have developed a blood test that can calculate a person’s risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, by measuring exposure to environmental toxins.

This breakthrough offers hope that one day, doctors may be able to prevent this fatal illness that progressively attacks the nervous system.