als
Definition
Noun: 1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A specific, progressive neurological disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and eventual paralysis. The term "ALS" is an acronym.
Usage
- "ALS" is used exclusively as a proper noun, referring to the specific disease. It is often preceded by the definite article "the".
- It is commonly used in medical, scientific, and patient advocacy contexts.
Examples
- The renowned physicist was diagnosed with ALS.
- Research into the causes of ALS is ongoing.
- Many people know ALS by its other name, Lou Gehrig's disease.
Advanced Usage
- Familial ALS: A hereditary form of the disease, accounting for a small percentage of cases.
- Sporadic ALS: The most common form of the disease, occurring without a clear family history.
Variants and Related Words
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: The full, formal name for ALS.
- Lou Gehrig's disease: A common alternative name for ALS, derived from the famous baseball player who had the condition.
- Motor neuron disease (MND): A broader category of diseases that includes ALS; the terms are often used interchangeably in some countries.
Synonyms
- Lou Gehrig's disease
- Motor neuron disease (in some regions/contexts)
Notes on Meaning
The provided reference context describes the pathological process ("thickening of tissue...") that defines ALS. The core meaning remains the progressive neurodegenerative disease resulting from this process. The acronym itself stands for the full medical term "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis".
Noun
-
thickening of tissue in the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord; results in progressive muscle atrophy that starts in the limbs
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