amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis n a rare fatal progressive degenerative disease that affects pyramidal motor neurons, usu. begins in middle age, and is characterized esp. by increasing and spreading muscular weakness abbr. ALS called also Lou Gehrig's disease

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a motor neuron disease marked by progressive degeneration of the neurons that give rise to the corticospinal tract and of the motor cells of the brainstem and spinal cord, resulting in a deficit of upper and lower motor neurons; it usually ends fatally within two to three years. Called also Lou Gehrig disease and Charcot syndrome.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — by 1881, from French, first word from Gk. a , privative prefix, + mys, myos muscle (see MUSCLE (Cf. muscle)) + trophikos feeding, from trophe nourishment (see TROPHY (Cf. trophy)). Often known in U.S. as Lou Gehrig s disease, after the New York… …   Etymology dictionary

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — [ā΄mī΄ō träf′ik, ā΄mī΄ōtrō′fik] n. [< ModL amyotrophia, muscular atrophy < Gr a , not + myos (see MYO ) + trophia, TROPHY + IC] a degenerative disease of the nerve cells that control muscular movement; Lou Gehrig s disease …   English World dictionary

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — This article is about progressive Motor Neuron Disease (MND) affecting both the upper motor neurons and lower motor neurons. For MND affecting either but not necessarily both, see Motor neurone disease. ALS redirects here. For other uses, see ALS …   Wikipedia

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) — A classic motor neuron disease. Motor neuron diseases are progressive chronic diseases of the nerves that come from the spinal cord responsible for supplying electrical stimulation to the muscles. This stimulation is necessary for the movement of …   Medical dictionary

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — noun thickening of tissue in the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord; results in progressive muscle atrophy that starts in the limbs • Syn: ↑ALS, ↑Lou Gehrig s disease • Hypernyms: ↑nervous disorder,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) — A classic motor neuron disease. Motor neuron diseases are progressive chronic diseases of the nerves that come from the spinal cord responsible for supplying electrical stimulation to the muscles. This stimulation is necessary for the movement of …   Medical dictionary

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — noun Etymology: 2a + my + trophic Date: 1886 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 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — (= Lou Gehrig&’s disease; motor neuron disease) Progressive degenerative disease of motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord that leads to weakening of the voluntary muscles …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — /ay muy euh trof ik, troh fik, ay muy euh /, Pathol. 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… …   Universalium

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — noun A chronic, progressive disease characterized by degeneration of the central nervous system and the loss of voluntary muscle control. Syn: Lou Gehrigs disease See Also: motor neurone disease …   Wiktionary

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