Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

How Compass is developedGive feedback

Symptoms and clinical language

ALS and MND

Two names in common use for the same group of conditions, favoured in different countries.

What it means

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the name used most in the United States and in research. Motor neurone disease is used most in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. In many places ALS is treated as the most common form of MND, and in others the two words are used interchangeably. Reading across sources, it helps to assume they mean the same thing unless a source says otherwise.

Why you might hear it

  • Search results, forums and trial listings switch between the two constantly.
  • Compass writes ALS/MND for this reason.

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.