Other Neuromuscular Diseases Flashcards
What does ALS affect?
- UMN
- LMN
- Cranial nerves (bulbar)
- motor neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem & brain
What does ALS stand for?
- Amyotrophy (muscle atrophy)
- Lateral (Involving lateral & anterior corticospinal tracts)
- Sclerosis (glial cell proliferation & hardening)
What is the main etiology of ALS?
- Sporadic (90%)
- Familial (10%)
ALS causes destruction of Upper Motor Neurons what is affected in cerebral cortex?
- Pyramidal cells
- Corticospinal tract
- Corticobulbar tract
ALS causes destruction of Lower Motor Neurons what alpha motor neurons are affected?
- anterior horn of spinal cord
- Cranial nerve nuclei in brainstem
What are some other possible areas that can be impacted by neuronal loss when they have ALS?
- Frontotemporal cortex
- Thalamus
- Basal ganglia/substantia nigra
- Spinocerebellar tracts
- Dorsal columns
What are some lower motor neuron symptoms in ALS?
- Asymmetric (usually distal weakness)
- Extensors weaker than flexors
- Cervical extensor weakness (head drop)
- Bulbar signs (CN IX-XII affected at nuclei or nerve)
- Hyporeflexia
- Hypotonicity
- Atrophy
- Muscle cramps
- Fasciculations
What are some upper motor neuron symptoms in ALS?
- Spasticity
- Hyperreflexia/Clonus
- Pathological reflexes (Babinski, Hoffman)
- Muscle weakness (Extensors UE, Flexors LE)
- Pseudobulbar palsy (corticobulbar tract)
- as disease progresses, UMN signs may decrease
What is the presentation of bulbar symptoms in ALS?
- Dysarthria
- Dysphagia
- Sialorrhea
- Pseudobulbar affect (UMN)
What are the most common crania; nerve nuclei affected in ALS?
- V
- VII
- IX
- X
- XII
What areas are preserved in clinical manifestation of ALS?
- Eye movement
- Bowel & Bladder
- Sensory system
ALS has a variable presentation what are the early signs?
- Insidious asymmetrical weakness of distal aspect of one limb
- Cramping w/ volitional movement
- Muscle fasciculations
How can ALS be diagnosed?
EMG
What is the first FDA approved drug for ALS?
- Riluzole
- May have neuroprotective effect but not cure
- Slows progression
What is the prognosis of ALS?
- Onset before 50 may have slower progression
- Survival 2-5 yrs of sx onset
- Bulbar onset more rapidly progressive
What is the average survival after symptoms onset of ALS?
3-5 years
What does the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale Revised examine? What does lower score indicate?
- Evaluates 12 areas of function
- Lower score = worse function
What does ALS Assessment Questionnaire - 40 examine and what do higher scores indicate?
- QOL assessment
- Higher score = more impairment
What is included in palliative approach to care?
- SLP consult
- Respiratory issues
- Pain
- Mental health
- Cognitive implications
T/F: Patients with ALS may have qsialorrhea & dysphagia
True
- Require nutrition management, eventually may need PEG tube
Patients with ALS may have dysarthria. What is used to combat these issues?
- Speech language pathologist is involved
- Use of speech strategies & environmental modifications
- Use of devices
What patients with ALS vital capacity drops below 50% what is recommended?
- Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation is recommended
- CPAP, BiPAP, Supplemental O2 not recommended unless coexisting pulmonary disease