Imagine losing control of your body but your mind remaining unchanged. You would be a prisoner in your own body, all the way to your death sentence. This is the sad fate of people diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease first described by Ran in 1850. This description was then expanded in 1873 by Charcot, who highlighted the involvement of the corticospinal tracts. In the United States, ALS is often called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous baseball player who was struck by the disease in the middle of his career. (Yale School of Medicine, 2014)” In this article we will review the definition, process, signs, risk factors, etiology, and known people who have suffered from this terminal disease.DefineThe Overview Definition of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is defined in the Medical Dictionary for Allied Health as a “progressive degenerative disease of the lateral columns of the spinal cord leading to weakness, paralysis, and death (Breskin, 2008).” This definition is short but observing it helps to better define the disease, which follows. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, the progressive destruction of the motor neuron causes muscle atrophy. The affected nerve cells run from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the periphery, these are the nerves that control muscle movement. ALS affects muscles controlled by conscious thought, including arms, legs, and trunk muscles. ALS leaves sensations, mental processes, heart muscle, digestive system, bladder and other internal organs unchanged. Process“ALS occurs when specific nerve cells in the brain… the center of the paper… any. As Hawking once said: "The prospect of a short life made me want to do more. I realized that life was good and there were many things I wanted to do." (2013). Stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [online] Retrieved from: http://mda.org/disease/amyotrophy-lateral-sclerosis/signs-and-symptoms/stages-of-als [Accessed: 9 January 2014].Medterms. (2012). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [online] Retrieved from: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2231 [Accessed: January 9, 2014].Medicine.yale.edu. (2014). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) > neurology | Yale medical school. [online] Retrieved from: http://medicine.yale.edu/neurology/divisions/neuromuscular/als.aspx [Accessed: January 9, 2014].Breskin, M. (2008). McGraw-Hill Medical Dictionary for Allied Health. Boston: McGraw Hill Higher Education.