LEWISTON — The Great Falls Forum on Friday will feature Dr. Brett Morrison,  assistant professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins Medical School and a leading researcher on Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

He is a 1988 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn and the son of Jane and Chip Morrison of Auburn.

His talk is titled “Beyond the Ice Bucket Challenge: The Latest Research on Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).”

It will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, May 15, in Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St.

In his presentation, Morrison will provide an overview of ALS and the challenges that the disease has presented to patients, caregivers, physicians and researchers alike. In addition, he will review the recent knowledge gains made with genetic information and newly discovered causes for motor neuron injury that has increased optimism among the ALS research community.

For a variety of reasons, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, has been challenging for the medical community to address. Most patients die from respiratory failure within three to five years following onset of symptoms. There is currently only one Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for the disease and no effective new treatments have been developed in the past 20 years.

Morrison is on the faculty at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore, training both neurology residents and medical students. He also personally treats adult patients through the university’s neuromuscular clinic.

During his high school years, he showed interest in science and math and a love for theater and sports.

Friday’s forum is free and no reservations are required. Bring a brown-bag lunch; coffee, tea and bottled water will be available.

The Great Falls Forum is co-sponsored by the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Bates College, Lewiston Public Library and the Sun Journal.

More information is available by contacting the library at 513-3135 or www.LPLonline.org.