Definition

1. Noun:
   • A specific neurodegenerative disease: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to the loss of muscle control.
   • A medical condition characterized by motor neuron degeneration: It specifically involves the degeneration of the motor neurons in the lateral columns of the spinal cord and the brain, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The neurologist confirmed the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  • Research into the causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is ongoing.
  • He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis last year.

Advanced Usage

• "to be diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis": to receive a formal medical identification of having the disease.
  • Following the tests, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• The term is often used in formal, medical, or scientific contexts. In general conversation, its acronym ALS or the eponym Lou Gehrig's disease are more commonly used.

Variants and Related Words

• ALS (noun): The standard acronym for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  • The ALS Association funds research for a cure.
• Lou Gehrig's disease (noun): An informal, eponymous name for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, named after the baseball player who had the condition.
  • The charity event raised awareness for Lou Gehrig's disease.

Synonyms

• Motor neuron disease (MND): A broader category of diseases that includes ALS, though the terms are often used interchangeably in some regions.
  • Note: While closely related, "motor neuron disease" is a group of disorders, and ALS is the most common form.

Related Phrases

• Progressive muscular atrophy: A key symptom and result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• Bulbar onset ALS: A form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis where symptoms begin with muscles used for speech and swallowing.

Noun

1. 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