Week 11: ALS

Question 1

ALS is caused by ____ ____ motor neuron death. There is NO indication of ____

Answer 1

Unknown
Degenerative
NO inflammation

Question 2

CM of ALS

Answer 2

Lower motor neurons= weakness, muscular atrophy and hyper-reflexia; slow progressive weakness of lower than upper extremities

Upper motor neurons= initially weakness, stiffness, spasticity and impaired fine motor control. Dysphagia and impaired speaking will then follow

Both= small muscles affected, multiple aspiration pneumonia, weak diaphragm which will cause death bc patient will stop breathing

Question 3

Treatment

Answer 3

No treatment to stop progression
Cognition remains intact
Mean survival rate is 2-5 years from onset

Question 4

Cause of ALS

Answer 4

Unknown

Question 5

ALS is a ___ ____ disease affecting motor neurons in the ___ ___ and ___ motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. ALS is also called ___ ___ disease

Answer 5

Progressive
Degenerative 
Cerebral cortex 
Lower
Lou Gehrig