that's also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (say: ah-my-uh-TRO-fik LA-tuh-rul skluh-RO-sis), or ALS. The official name comes from these Greek words:
• "a" for without
• "myo" for muscle
• "trophic" for nourishment
• "lateral" for side (of the spinal cord)
• "sclerosis" for hardening or scarring