amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(noun)

A chronic, progressive disease characterized by degeneration of the central nervous system and the loss of voluntary muscle control.

Related Terms

Examples of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the following topics:

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy.
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as motor neuron disease in British English, is the most common form of the motor neuron diseases.
    • In later stages of the disease, aspiration pneumonia and maintaining a healthy weight can become a significant problem and may require insertion of a feeding tube.

  • Muscular Atrophy

    • Examples of diseases affecting the nerves that control muscles would be poliomyelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

  • Paralysis

    • Other major causes are stroke, trauma with nerve injury, poliomyelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
    • In such cases, the disc may rupture, with disc material ending up in the spinal canal, or rupturing more laterally to press on spinal nerves.

  • Disorders of Acid-Base Balance

    • Later, the kidneys respond through the aldosterone escape to excrete sodium and chloride in urine.
    • This failure in ventilation may be caused by depression of the central respiratory center by cerebral disease or drugs, inability to ventilate adequately due to neuromuscular disease (e.g., myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, muscular dystrophy), or airway obstruction related to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation.

  • Chemical Composition of Bone

    • Later, the kidneys respond through the aldosterone escape to excrete sodium and chloride in urine.
    • This failure in ventilation may be caused by depression of the central respiratory center by cerebral disease or drugs, an inability to ventilate adequately due to neuromuscular disease (e.g., myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, muscular dystrophy), or airway obstructions related to asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation.

  • Horner's Syndrome

  • Regeneration of Nerve Fibers

    • Nerve regeneration is important clinically, as it is part of the pathogenesis of many diseases, including multiple sclerosis.
    • In the later stages of regeneration, the remaining endoneurial tube directs axon growth back to the correct targets.

  • The Brain

    • This includes degenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.
    • Specifically, the lateral parts seem to be involved with pleasure and rage, while the medial part is linked to aversion, displeasure, and a tendency toward uncontrollably loud laughing.