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

Activist Maria Teresa Griffin, who proved her mettle in fight against East L.A. prison, dies Maria Teresa Griffin, a founding member of the Mothers of East Los Angeles protest group, has died after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024

The next day, Gehrig was off to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024

The actors gets candid with PEOPLE about how sons Julian, 14, and Adrian, 12, have managed their dad's disease Aaron Lazar had no idea how to break the news to his two sons that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2024

Whereas, in mouse models, artificially over-activating the gene protects against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease affecting motor neurons of the spinal cord, which causes progressive weakness and breakdown of muscles. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

In 1977, Wedemeyer was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2024

The association, which seeks to find a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, received a $58 million gift from Hoffman, whose father died from the disease. —Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024

The trial is open to patients who are quadriplegics as a result of a cervical spinal cord injury or have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2024

The device is currently in clinical trials, which are open to some individuals who have quadriplegia due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or a spinal cord injury, according to a recruitment pamphlet. —Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 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