ALS Flashcards
1
Q
ALS
A
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- neurologic progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons
2
Q
Death from ALS
A
- often 3Y post-dx
- often respiratory failure
3
Q
cause of ALS
A
unknown
4
Q
Risk fx for ALS
A
40-70Y, male, smoking, genetics
5
Q
ALS patho
A
- upper and lower motor neuron (voluntary) degeneration
- axons degen, demyelination and sclerosis (scarring)
- can’t send messages–neuron death
6
Q
Excitotoxicity hypothesis
A
Excess glutamate (excitatory) initiates cascade of events
- inc glutamate in the CSF
7
Q
CM for ALS
A
- depends on the area affected
- spinal form is most common–begin in arms and legs, muscle wasting, spasticity
- dysarthria, dysphagia, drooling
- cog and behavioral chx
- constipation
- sleep probs
- breathing
8
Q
Riluzole class and MOA
A
- Glutamate inhibitor
- Glutamate antagonist; dec damage to motor neurons
9
Q
Riluzole SE and NC
A
- Dizzy, GI upset, hepatotox
- inc life expectancy (under a year) and slow progression of degeneration
