The Jersey Shore University Medical Center is the first in the nation to offer a new clinical study at its ALS Center. It is located in the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute.

ALS - otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease - often leads to total paralysis and death within two to five years. It can also impact patients differently from speech to breathing and swallowing.

The study, called DAZALS, is testing a treatment that will slow the progression of ALS. Medical director Dr. Mary Sedarous told News 12, "It is looking at a medication called Dazucorilant and it’s through a drug company called Corcept.”

They're looking for nearly 200 patients with an ALS diagnosis to be a part of the study. Eligible patients will participate in a 24-week double-blind treatment period where they will be given either the medication itself or a sugar pill.

"We hope that we'll see positive results in slowing down the progression of the disease with this medication," Sedarous said.

Patients will be monitored by doctors throughout the trial. Recruiting has just begun.

If you’re interested, you can contact the ALS Center at the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute or get the details from clinicaltrials.gov.