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

The former New Orleans Saints safety has battled amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease he was diagnosed with back in 2011. —Jacob Lev, CNN, 12 July 2024

The ventilator is typically used to help people who have conditions that can affect the respiratory system, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), neuromuscular conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or restrictive thoracic disorders. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 11 July 2024

According to a press release shared with PEOPLE, the singer died on Tuesday, July 9, from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). —Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 9 July 2024

Rodriguez was diagnosed in the fall with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disorder that is more commonly known as ALS — or Lou Gehrig’s disease — and characterized by muscle stiffness and twitching, weakness and wasting. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 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