Question

Which of the following is NOT true of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

1) Most ALS cases are sporadic.
2) ALS is a degenerative disease.
3) The cause of death in ALS is failure of respiration.
4) Spinal cord and cranial motor neurons are destroyed in ALS.
5) ALS is caused by damage to Beta-amyloid in nerve cells.

Answer 1

The false statement about ALS is that it is caused by Beta-amyloid damage in nerve cells; instead, it involves motor neuron degeneration leading to muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and eventual paralysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is NOT true of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is that ALS is caused by damage to Beta-amyloid in nerve cells. ALS primarily involves the degeneration of motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movement, both in the spinal cord and in the brain. The disease process in ALS leads to muscle weakening, lack of coordination, and eventually results in paralysis due to the inability of the nerves to communicate with muscles. Most cases of ALS are sporadic, meaning they aren't inherited, and the disease is known for its rapid progression and eventual impact on respiratory function, which can lead to death. The best known genetic factor for familial ALS is a mutation in the SOD1 gene, which does not involve Beta-amyloid damage.