amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequencySpecialised/Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis” mean?
A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
The specific motor neuron disease characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in loss of muscle control, speech, swallowing, and eventually breathing. It is often referred to by the acronym ALS.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in the full term. The disease is also historically known as 'motor neurone disease' (MND) in the UK, a broader category which includes ALS as its most common form. In the US, 'ALS' is the primary term and is not typically used interchangeably with a broader category.
Connotations
In the UK, the public awareness campaign is often under the banner 'MND Association'. In the US, it is strongly associated with the 'ALS Association' and the 'Ice Bucket Challenge'.
Frequency
In American English, 'ALS' is significantly more frequent than the full term. In British English, 'MND' is also very frequent alongside 'ALS', especially in public-facing contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis” in a Sentence
[Patient] was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects [body part/function].The cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is unknown.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The condition was finally diagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
- He is being treated for suspected MND/ALS.
American English
- The neurologist confirmed it was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
- She was diagnosed with ALS last year.
adverb
British English
- The disease progressed, typically for ALS, from the limbs.
- He spoke, his voice affected ALS-slowly.
American English
- Muscle weakness developed, characteristically for ALS, in the hands first.
- She typed, moving her fingers ALS-carefully.
adjective
British English
- He has an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis.
- ALS-related research is ongoing.
American English
- They enrolled in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical trial.
- The ALS symptoms progressed rapidly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like pharmaceutical research, healthcare insurance, or disability services.
Academic
Used in medical, neurological, and biological research papers, textbooks, and conferences.
Everyday
The acronym 'ALS' is used in general conversation, often in the context of fundraising or awareness. The full term is rare.
Technical
Standard term in clinical neurology, patient diagnoses, and medical documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”
- Mispronouncing 'amyotrophic' (common error: 'am-ee-oh-trophic').
- Misspelling 'sclerosis' as 'scleroses'.
- Using 'ALS' and 'multiple sclerosis' interchangeably.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In clinical terms, ALS is the most common form of Motor Neurone Disease. In the UK, 'MND' is often used interchangeably with ALS in public discourse, though technically MND is the umbrella term.
Lou Gehrig was a famous American baseball player who was diagnosed with ALS in 1939. His public struggle brought the disease to widespread attention in the US, leading to the eponym 'Lou Gehrig's disease'.
Early symptoms often include muscle twitching, weakness in a limb, or slurred speech. The specific onset varies, commonly beginning in the hands, feet, or mouth/throat.
No, there is currently no cure for ALS. Treatments focus on slowing progression, managing symptoms, and maintaining quality of life. Research into therapies is ongoing.
A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is usually specialised/technical/medical in register.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.maɪ.əˌtrɒf.ɪk ˌlæt.ər.əl skləˈrəʊ.sɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.maɪ.əˌtroʊ.fɪk ˌlæt̬.ɚ.əl skləˈroʊ.sɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
**A**ll **M**uscles **Y**ield, **O**xygen **T**o **R**espiration **O**ver, **P**aralysis **H**appens **I**n **C**entral **L**ateral **S**clerosis. (A mnemonic for the acronym and core idea).
Conceptual Metaphor
A 'thief' of motor function; a 'progressive lock' on the body.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common synonym for 'amyotrophic lateral sclerosis' in the United Kingdom?