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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous baseball player who was diagnosed with the condition. ALS causes the death of motor neurons, which are responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. As the motor neurons die, the brain loses its ability to initiate and control muscle movement, leading to paralysis and eventually death. Symptoms of ALS include muscle weakness, twitching, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing. There is no known cure for ALS, but treatments can help slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.
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