amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

[ ey-mahy-uh-trof-ik, -troh-fik, ey-mahy-uh- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. an incurable disease of unknown cause in which progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord leads to atrophy and eventually complete paralysis of the voluntary muscles. : ALS

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

/ ˌæmɪəʊˈtrəʊfɪk /

noun

1. a form of motor neurone disease in which degeneration of motor tracts in the spinal cord causes progressive muscular paralysis starting in the limbs Also calledLou Gehrig's disease

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

/ ā′mī-ə-trō′fĭk,-ə-trŏf′ĭk,ā-mī′- /

1. A chronic, progressive neurologic disease marked by gradual degeneration of the neurons in the spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy and usually results in death. Also called Lou Gehrig's disease , after the American baseball player (1903–41) who was the first public figure to suffer from the disease.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis¹

First recorded in 1885–90; a- ⁶ + myo- + -trophic

Example Sentences

His wife, Jeannette Redden, said the cause was complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or A.L.S., which he had for nine years.

From New York Times

The work centers around altering the interaction between two proteins that are believed to be involved in setting the stage for diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

From Science Daily

Gehrig went homerless in eight games that regular season before retiring because of complications with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, what would come to be known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

From Los Angeles Times

The maker of the newest treatment approved for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis said Thursday that it would withdraw the drug from the market because a large clinical trial did not produce evidence that the treatment worked.

From New York Times

He would play Morrie, a former sociology professor who, after receiving a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or A.L.S., reconnects with one of his students in what becomes a series of weekly meetings.

From New York Times