Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

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A disease characterized by the dysfunction in the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. resulting in progressive loss of movement, paralysis, and death. It is sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, after a famous baseball player who had the condition.

ALS attacks the nerve cells used in voluntary muscle actions, actions that a healthy body can control such as the arms, legs, and face. The targeted cells are called motor neurons. As it progresses, these cells degenerate and die. They stop sending messages to muscles and the brain can no longer control voluntary movement. Over time, the muscles weaken and degenerate.