Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neuron disease) - steadily progressing spasticatrophic paresis of limbs and bulbar disorders, caused by selective damage of both neurons of the cortico-muscular path.

The etiology of the disease is not established.

Pathogenesis is the increasing degeneration of the cells of the anterior horns of the spinal cord, motor nuclei of the medulla oblongata, as well as pyramidal and cortico-bulbar pathways.

Symptoms, course. The disease often begins with muscle atrophy and weakness of the hands, while simultaneously there are developed fasciculations (involuntary contractions of individual bundles of muscle fibers) in various muscle groups, including the muscles of the tongue. Atrophy and paresis gradually spread, there are signs of bulbar syndrome (dysphagia, dysarthria, dysphonia). In the advanced stage of the disease, the possibility of independent movement is lost because of severe paralysis of the limbs. Speech becomes illegible, swallowing is hampered. A characteristic feature in most patients is a combination of signs of peripheral and central paralysis (atrophy and sharply elevated tendon reflexes). The coordinating and sensitive spheres, as well as the functions of the pelvic organs, as a rule, are not violated.

The diagnosis usually does not cause difficulties. With myelopathy due to cervical osteochondrosis, there are never bulbar disorders and atrophy in the legs. Treatment is symptomatic. The prognosis is unfavorable: patients die several months or years after the onset of the disease.