Wk 4 ALS Flashcards
What does ALS stand for?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
What is the name of the baseball player who was diagnosed with ALS?
Lou Gehrig (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
What is the definition of ALS?
Rare, progressive, degenerative neurologic disorder characterized by the loss of motor neurons
ALS involves the loss of both __ and __ motor neurons
upper and lower
What is the prognosis of ALS?
Death usually occurs 3 years after diagnosis
What is the etiology of ALS?
Unknown
ALS is fatal, usually due to __ __
respiratory failure
What age does ALS begin?
40s
What age does ALS peak?
68-70
What gender is at higher risk for ALS?
Males
About 10% of ALS is __
genetic
What lifestyle is considered to be a risk factor for ALS?
Smoking
What three places do degeneration of large motor neurons occur with ALS?
Spinal cord
Cerebral cortex
Brain stem
Electrical and chemical messages in the brain do not reach the __
muscles
Degeneration of the neurons leads to… (3)
Exonal degeneration
Demyelination
Sclerosis
What is the excitotoxicity hypothesis?
Excessive levels of glutamate initiate a cascade of events that lead to neuron death
What is glutamate?
Excitatory neurotransmitter
Where did the excitotoxicity hypothesis come from?
High levels of glutamate were found in the CSF of patients with CSF
What antiglutamineric drug improves survival rates among ALS patients?
Riluzole
Early manifestations may include motor dysfunction of which parts of the body?
Upper, lower or both
Over half of patients with ALS have the __ form of the disease
spinal
If an ALS patient has the spinal form of the disease, where does muscle weakness start?
In the extremities
Spinal ALS leads to what 4 losses?
Muscle atrophy
Loss of dexterity
Loss of gait
Loss of spasticity
What are s/s of ALS?
Dysarthria Dysphagia Drooling Cognitive and behavioral changes Constipation Sleep problems Breathing
What drug class is riluzole?
Glutamate inhibitor
What is the brand name of riluzole?
Rilutek
What is the therapeutic indication of riluzole?
Only approved medication to treat ALS
What is the MOA of riluzole?
Glutamate antagonist, reduces damage to motor neurons
What are 3 side effects of riluzole?
Dizziness
GI upset
Hepatotoxicity
How long does riluzole expand a patient’s lifespan?
Only 3-6 months
