Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's or motor neuron disease, is one of several degenerative diseases of the ageing nervous system. Commonly affecting those in their mid-50s and beyond, it is a progressive illness resulting in death within a few years. This text neatly synthesizes the recent explosion of research into this particular condition to construct a detailed and comprehensive overview. From its epidemiology,...