Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Causes, Symptoms and Neurodegenerative Disease Facts

Category: Science & Technology → Health → Neurological Disorders

Correct terminology: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), not “Amylotropic Lateral Sclerosis.”

Key Facts

  • ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
  • It primarily damages motor neurons.
  • Motor neurons control voluntary muscle movement.
  • Progressive loss of motor neurons causes:
    • Muscle weakness
    • Muscle wasting
    • Difficulty speaking
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Difficulty breathing
  • Cognitive function is often preserved, although some patients can develop frontotemporal cognitive/behavioural changes.
  • ALS is also known as motor neuron disease (MND) in many contexts.

Causes

Most cases are sporadic, while a smaller proportion are familial/genetic.

UPSC Key Pointers

  • ALS → Neurodegenerative disease
  • Main cells affected → Motor neurons
  • Major outcome → Progressive muscle weakness
  • Do not confuse ALS with:
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Alzheimer's disease