| Also
known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a disease
of motor neuron cells (cells which cause muscles to move) within the
spinal cord and brainstem. This disease may present with weakness
of the arms and legs, difficulty with speaking and swallowing, and
rarely with dementia. For the neurosurgeon, it is important
to distinguish this disease from cervical myelopathy, which is cord
injury caused by spinal cord compression in the neck. Generally,
the survival in patients with ALS is 5 years. |
Glossary 
