What condition involves progressive degeneration of motor neurons?

The condition that involves progressive degeneration of motor neurons is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). ALS is characterized by the progressive degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and ultimately paralysis. This degeneration disrupts the brain's ability to initiate and control muscle movement, resulting in a decline in voluntary motor function over time.

In contrast, Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system, primarily the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness and coordination issues, but it does not specifically target motor neurons. Huntington's Disease is a genetic disorder that affects muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline, but its primary pathology involves the degeneration of specific neurons in the brain rather than motor neurons. Parkinson's Disease primarily affects dopaminergic neurons in the basal ganglia and is characterized by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, rather than direct degeneration of motor neurons.

Understanding ALS as a degenerative disease of motor neurons is crucial for recognizing its symptoms and course, as well as for differentiating it from other neurological disorders that may have overlapping features but distinct underlying mechanisms.