Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is indexed under Neurological & Neurodegenerative, Motor Neuron Disease. Also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, motor neuron disease.

US prevalence

~32,000 (prevalence ~9.1 per 100,000) Source: CDC ATSDR ALS Registry. Federal source. Label: VERIFIED.

ICD-10-CM codes

G12.21

Typical onset

Mean onset 55-75 years; ~10% before age 45

Course

progressive

Body systems

neurological, musculoskeletal, pulmonary

Sex differences

M:F ~1.5:1

Racial and ethnic differences

Higher in white populations; may be underdiagnosed in minorities

What this page does not establish

These figures describe populations, not individuals, and none of them is a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. Prevalence estimates are approximate and reflect published ranges. Disparity figures are reported patterns, not causes.

Taxonomy last reviewed 2026-05-19. Each figure on the interactive page carries its own source and retrieval date, which can be later than this review.

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