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

Tokyo-based DAWN, or Diverse Avatar Working Network, is a cafe staffed by robots operated remotely by people with severe physical disabilities like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

From Quartz

Keough died in 1985, at 55, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, making him among the first of the former hostages to die.

From Washington Post

Holly was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, a nervous system illness that weakens muscle and physical function.

From Washington Post

Such diseases include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Tourette syndrome, but also ones like malaria that are rare in the US but are major killers globally.

From Quartz