The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating a subj ect diagnosed
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with a pharmaceutical composition containing dissolved or dispersed therein a SOD1 and / or TDP-43 aggregation- inhibiting amount of a
rose bengal (RB) compound that is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of RB, RB
lactone, a RB
amide, an aromatic RB derivative, wherein the aromatic derivative is an ester or
amide formed from an
alcohol or monosubstituted amine having a 5 - or 6 -membered aromatic ring, or a 5, 6 - or 6, 6 - fused aromatic ring
system that contains 0, 1, or 2 hetero ring atoms that are independently
nitrogen,
oxygen or
sulfur. This treatment method is typically repeated a plurality of times or until the subj ect no longer needs it.