Of or pertaining to James the First, of England, or of his reign or times; especially, pertaining to a style of architecture and decoration popular in the time of James I.; as, Jacobean writers. Etymology: From L. Jacobus James.
ALS is a progressive, degenerative disease of the nervous system. It is one of a group of diseases, called motor neuron diseases (MND), in which specialized nerve cells that control movement of the voluntary muscles gradually cease functioning and die. Fasciculation is a sign of muscle irritability, as the normal action of the lower motor neuron on the muscle is impaired. 2  The sole involvement of lower motor neurons can be seen in a form of ALS called progressive muscular atrophy.
For example, diseases such as cancer and AIDS induce a body wasting syndrome called cachexia, which is notable for the severe muscle atrophy seen. Other syndromes or conditions which can induce skeletal muscle atrophy are congestive heart failure and liver disease.