Ency. home > Disease > A > Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Lou Gehrig's disease; ALS

Definition:

A disorder causing progressive loss of control of voluntary muscles due to destruction of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Causes and Risks

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a disorder involving loss of the use and control of muscles. The nerves controlling these muscles are destroyed, which results in loss of muscle tissue due to the lack of nervous stimulation. Muscle strength and coordination decreases, beginning with the voluntary muscles (those under conscious control, such as the muscles of the arms and legs). The extent of loss of muscle control continues to progress, and more and more muscle groups become involved.

There may be a loss of nervous stimulation to semi-voluntary muscles, such as the muscles that control breathing and swallowing. There is no effect on ability to think or reason. 5- 10% of cases are thought to be due to a genetic mutation. The rest of the cases are sporadic. Though it is still not known what precisely is the cause of the nerve cell destruction, it is thought to be due to free radical injury associated with toxicity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter.

ALS affects approximately 1 out of 100,000 people. It appears in some cases to run in families. The disorder affects men more often than women. Symptoms usually do not develop until adulthood, often not until after age 50.

Ency. home > Disease > A > Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

---

[an error occurred while processing this directive]