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

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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

As he manages his own amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, actor Eric Dane is also advocating for the continuation of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, which is set to expire in 2026.

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The case that landed Jim before the Supreme Court started during one of the hardest periods of his life, when John was dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

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In June 1939, after a week of extensive testing at the Mayo Clinic, Lou Gehrig announced to the world that he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

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Dane revealed in April that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a.k.a.

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The “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” star, who revealed his diagnosis last Tuesday, sat down with “Good Morning America” to talk about his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an incurable degenerative neurological condition.

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