motor neuron degeneration

Motor neuron degeneration occurs when the nerve cells responsible for controlling muscle movements gradually deteriorate or die. These neurons send signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles, enabling movement, speech, and breathing. When they degenerate, communication between the nervous system and muscles is disrupted, leading to muscle weakness, twitching, and loss of muscle mass. Conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are examples of diseases involving this degeneration. The process is progressive and can severely impact a person's mobility and independence, although the exact causes are often complex and not fully understood.