Understanding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Problem in Clinical Investigation

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. disease accounts for about 0.1% of adult deaths and has an incidence 1.4 per 100,000. The prognosis is dependent largely on the severity bulbar involvement. It found that patients in whom there was predominant involvement survived a mean 2.2 years, whereas those with mainly spinal signs as long 3.3 years. earlier age onset longer survival. Focal wasting during early stages often distal. uncommon clinician to observe muscles around shoulder or pelvic girdle at presentation, but hand foot characteristic. Presentation weakness axial respiratory also uncommon, less frequent than distal limb atrophy. either side may be affected no correlation handedness.