ALS Flashcards
What is the more common form of ALS limb onset or bulbar onset?
limb onset
Is prevalence of ALS higher in men or women?
men
What age is ALS typically diagnosed?
mid to late 50s
What are the possible causes of ALS?
-excess glutamate
-SOD-1 mutation
-viral infection
-inflammation/autoimmune
True or False: ALS is the most common adult onset motor neuron disease.
true
True or False: ALS is always fatal.
True
What are the risk factors for ALS?
-age
-gender
-family history
-diet
-vigorous physical activity
-trauma
-lead/mercury poisoning
-occupations like farmers or military
What is the pathophysiology of ALS?
-loss of motor neurons in motor cortex, SC, and brainstem
-CNs V, VII, IX, and XII
-also affects ANS, basal ganglia, oculomotor
What are the LMN signs of ALS?
-muscle weakness
-hyporeflexia
-muscle cramps
-atrophy
-hypotonicity
What are the UMN signs of ALS?
-spasticity
-hyperreflexia
-pathologic reflexes
-muscle weakness
how would ALS clinically present?
-initially often asymmetric weakness distally
-fatigue
-pain
-cervical extensor weakness
-decreased ROM
-imbalance
-gait deviations
True or false: ALS progresses proximally to distally.
False: ALS progresses distally to proximally
What is the prognosis of ALS?
-death will occur 3-5 years after symptom onset
-10% survive 10 years or longer
-positive factors: younger age at onset, limb onset, delay between symptom onset and diagnosis
-negative factors: bulbar onset or respiratory involvement, executive dementia, psychological distress
How do you diagnose ALS?
-no single test to diagnose
-through observation and ruling out
-El Escorial criteria
How long does it take to diagnose ALS from symptom onset?
8-15 months
