Description
A group of diseases characterized by degeneration of motor neurons. Afflicted patients experience progressive weakness of voluntary muscle activity including speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing. The most common disorders include: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease), primary lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, pseudobulbar palsy, and spinal muscular atrophy.
Symptoms
The symptoms become progressively worse and include: muscle weakness and later muscle wasting, fasciculations (involuntary muscle twitching), difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. An MRI scan and electromyography (EMG) are done to establish the diagnosis.
Tests:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other Specific Tests: electromyography (EMG)
Specialists:
Neurology, Pediatric Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (physiatry)
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. An MRI scan and electromyography (EMG) are done to establish the diagnosis.
Tests:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other Specific Tests: electromyography (EMG)
Specialists:
Neurology, Pediatric Neurology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (physiatry)
Treatment
No cure is available. Treatment is supportive and depends on the severity of the symptoms.