ALS, motor neurone disease Flashcards
ALS stands for what?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
what is the common MND?
ALS
What is essentially happening in ALS?
Progressive death of motor neurones
Is aetiology known?
no
Why do muscles becomes weak in ALS?
motor neurone dyings
Bulbar muscles weak.
Which symptoms does this cause?
aspiration pneumonia
ALS pt is drooling,
which muscles are weak?
bulbar muscles
Resp muscles weak.
Which complication does this cause?
resp failure
ALS pt has foot drop and subsequent falls.
which muscle is weak?
weak tibialis anterior
pt has fasciculations and painful muscle spasms.
what drug do you give?
baclofen
Risk factors for ALS?
Male
Middle age onset
FHx
which age group will most likely suffer from ALS?
middle age people
which gender will most likely suffer from ALS?
males
Which gene when mutated can cause ALS?
how many ALS cases are explained by this mutation
SOD1
5%
Are there UMN signs, LMN signs or a mixture?
Explain why
mixture
motor neurones die from brain to spinal cord to muscle.
what happens to muscle size in ALS
muscle atrophy
ALS is a clinical diagnosis.
true or false?
true
nerve conduction studies are sometimes normal on ALS patients.
true or false?
true
ALS pt has nerve conduction study.
will sensory nerves be normal or abnormal?
normal
ALS patient has EMG.
what does EMG stand for?
what will the result be?
Electromyography
will see fibrillation potentials (abnormal)
pt has ALS
why might you do an MRI?
rule out SCC
is there a cure for ALS?
no
What is the typical prognosis for ALS?
bad, most dead within 3 years
A person has aspiration pneumonia.
What can be installed to help with nutrition?
PEG tube
What two drugs can support ALS pts?
Riluzole
Baclofen
class of baclofen?
antispasmodic
moa for riluzole
stops glutamate damaging nerves
ALS pt is having respiratory difficulties.
What device can they use?
BiPAP
what does BiPAP stand for?
Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure
