“Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-my-o-TROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis) is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Also known as ALS, the disease leads to muscle weakness and other symptoms that get worse over time.

ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing, or slurred speech. Eventually ALS affects the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is no cure for this fatal disease, but research into new therapies is ongoing.”

MAYO CLINIC (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic)