Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Alternate Names : ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease
Definition A disease of the motor nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive loss of motor control.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is caused by progressive loss of motor nerves in the spinal cord and brain. In about 10% of cases, ALS is caused by a genetic defect. In other cases, the cause of the nerve deterioration is unknown.
ALS affects approximately 1 out of 100,000 people.
Except for having a family member affected with the hereditary form of the disease, there are no known risk factors.
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