A new study suggests that simple daily habits—such as waking up early and staying physically active—might help lower the risk of a rare but devastating brain disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
ALS is a serious condition that damages the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. As these nerve cells slowly die, muscles become weak and stop working.
Over time, people with ALS lose the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and eventually breathe. The disease is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with it. Most people with ALS die within two to five years after symptoms begin.
Because there is no cure, scientists are trying to understand what might reduce the risk of developing the disease in the first place. The new research offers some hopeful clues.
The study found that people who naturally wake up early in the morning—often called “early birds”—were less likely to develop ALS than those who prefer staying up late at night, known as “night owls.” Early birds had about a 20 percent lower risk of the disease compared with night owls.
Researchers also discovered that physical activity plays an important role. People who were more active in their daily lives had about a 26 percent lower risk of ALS than those who were less active. This includes activities such as walking, exercise, household chores, or other movements that keep the body engaged.
The research was led by Dr. Hong‑Fu Li, a neurologist at Zhejiang University in China. His team followed more than 500,000 adults with an average age of 57 for about 14 years. At the start of the study, participants answered questions about their sleep habits, daily routines, and physical activity. Over time, the researchers tracked who developed ALS.
During the study period, 675 participants were diagnosed with ALS. Although this number is small compared with the total group, it reflects how rare the disease is. ALS affects only a small portion of the population, but its impact on patients and families is enormous.
The scientists divided participants based on their sleep patterns. More than 277,000 people were classified as early birds, meaning they preferred going to bed early and waking up early. Over 166,000 were considered night owls, meaning they stayed up late and woke up later in the day. The remaining participants had mixed sleep patterns.
When researchers compared the groups, they found that early birds were less likely to develop ALS. Sleep length also mattered. People who slept between six and eight hours per night had a lower risk than those who slept much less or much more. This suggests that both sleep timing and sleep quality may affect brain health.
Scientists believe that a sleep schedule that matches natural daylight may support the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm.
This clock helps control many important functions, including hormone release, metabolism, and repair processes in the brain. Disrupting this rhythm over long periods may affect health in ways that scientists are still trying to understand.
Physical activity may also protect nerve cells by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and helping the body remove harmful substances. Exercise is already known to lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of dementia. This study suggests it may also play a role in reducing the risk of ALS.
Experts say more research is needed before firm conclusions can be made. The study shows a connection, but it does not prove that waking up early or exercising directly prevents ALS. Still, the findings support the idea that healthy lifestyle habits may help protect the brain over time.
For now, the message is encouraging. Going to bed at a regular time, getting enough sleep, waking with the morning light, and staying active during the day may do more than improve energy and mood. These simple habits could also support long‑term brain health.
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