amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun

amyo·​tro·​phic lateral sclerosis ˌā-ˌmī-ə-ˈtrō-fik-  -ˈträ- 

: a rare progressive degenerative fatal disease affecting the motor neurons, usually beginning in middle age, and characterized especially by increasing and spreading muscular weakness and atrophy

—abbreviation ALS

called also Lou Gehrig's disease

Examples of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With their photograph, the two neuroscientists at Augusta University showed how disturbances to the structural framework of a cell, known as its cytoskeleton, can lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

The company said the foundry will be the first of its kind to bring together research and production, and will help develop more drugs for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. 5. —Michele Luhn,kristian Burt, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2024

Joe Bonsall health issues with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused retirement Bonsall retired from performing on the road with the group after 50 years six months ago, citing the half-decade onset of his ALS diagnosis. —Marcus K. Dowling, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024

Early research has established a likely link between these activities and Parkinson’s, as well as other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). —Randi Richardson, NBC News, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 2 + my- + -trophic

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun

: a rare fatal progressive degenerative disease that affects pyramidal motor neurons, usually begins in middle age, and is characterized especially by increasing and spreading muscular weakness

—abbreviation ALS

called also Lou Gehrig's disease