Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Overview Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as motor neuron disease, is a progressive neurological condition that impacts the nerve cells responsible for regulating muscle movement. The average life expectancy is 2–5 years, but the actual prognosis varies on an individual basis. Causes Unknown aetiology, but mutations in certain genes are responsible for 5–8% of cases Symptoms Progressive weakening of muscles in various body partsProgressive muscle thinning and wastingDifficulty in speaking or swallowingFlickering and twitching of musclesWeakness of muscles involved in respiration, causing respiratory failure and aspiration of food and oral secretions, ultimately leading to death Risk factors Trauma to the head, neck, or spineTraumatic brain injuries Specialist to approach Neurologist Diagnosis Clinical examinationElectrophysiological tests like electromyography (EMG)/nerve conduction study (NCV)MRI of spinal cord and other blood tests to eliminate possible conditions causing similar complaints like cervical myopathy, IGLON5 disease, and paraneoplastic syndromes Treatment Clinical management of symptomsRiluzole and edaravone can prolong the life expectancy by a few months