ALS definition
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. A-myo-trophic comes from the Greek language.otor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their demise. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A classic motor neuron disease. Motor neuron diseases are progressive chronic diseases of the nerves that come from the spinal cord responsible for supplying electrical stimulation to the muscles.This stimulation is necessary for the movement of body parts. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is quite a mouthful. The disease is therefore usually referred to simply as ALS. In North America it is sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease after the great durable baseball player who had it. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that breaks down tissues in the nervous system (a neurodegenerative disease) of unknown cause that affects the nerves responsible for movement. It is also known as motor neuron disease and Lou Gehrig's disease, after the baseball player whose career it ended.myotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (ā´mīətrō´fik lat´ərəl sklərō´sis) , n a degenerative disease of the motor neurons, characterized by atrophy of the muscles of the hands, forearms, and legs, and spreading to involve most of the body. Colloquial term is Lou Gehrig's disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease and Charcot disease, is a specific disorder that involves the death of neurons.escriptions of the disease date back to at least 1824 by Charles Bell. In 1869, the connection between the symptoms and the underlying neurological problems were first described by Jean-Martin Charcot, who in 1874 began using the term amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Description. ALS is a disease of the motor neurons, those nerve cells reaching from the brain to the spinal cord (upper motor neurons) and the spinal cord to the peripheral nerves (lower motor neurons) that control muscle movement.myotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (ā´mīətrō´fik lat´ərəl sklərō´sis) , n a degenerative disease of the motor neurons, characterized by atrophy of the muscles of the hands, forearms, and legs, and spreading to involve most of the body. Colloquial term is Lou Gehrig's disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-mi-o-TROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis), or ALS, is a nervous system (neurological) disease that causes muscle weakness and impacts physical function. ALS is often called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with it.ALS is a type of motor neuron disease that causes nerve cells to gradually break down and die. In the United States, ALS is sometimes called motor neuron disease. In most cases, doctors don't know why ALS occurs.A small number of cases are inherited.ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, or sometimes with slurring of speech.n the United States, ALS is sometimes called motor neuron disease. In most cases, doctors don't know why ALS occurs. A small number of cases are inherited. ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, or sometimes with slurring of speech. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body.The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost.With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.otor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. : ALS occurs when specific nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary movement gradually degenerate. The loss of these motor neurons causes the muscles under their control to weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis. The cause of this disease process is still unknown. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is quite a mouthful. The disease is therefore usually referred to simply as ALS. In North America it is sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease after the great durable baseball player who had it. Involvement of the lower motor neurons causes muscle wasting and twitching (fasciculations). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by the degeneration and death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain.These neurons convey electrical messages from the brain to the muscles to stimulate movement in the arms, legs, trunk, neck, and head.myotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (ā´mīətrō´fik lat´ərəl sklərō´sis) , n a degenerative disease of the motor neurons, characterized by atrophy of the muscles of the hands, forearms, and legs, and spreading to involve most of the body. Colloquial term is Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS-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.amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease.LS-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.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disease that breaks down tissues in the nervous system of unknown cause that affects the nerves responsible for movement.