Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome masquerading as multiple sclerosis.

Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS) is a rare degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that belongs to the family of human spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases. GSS is almost always inherited and mostly carried in an autosomal dominant pattern. Nevertheless, GSS is genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous; among the different prion diseases GSS has the longest clinical course thereby has the potential to mimic the clinical course of different neurological disorders.

ALS: Family caregiver needs and quality of life.

The goal of this study was to determine the needs of ALS family caregivers. Utilizing a qualitative and quantitative mixed methodology known as Concept Mapping (CM), individual interviews with family caregivers of ALS patients (n =19) identified 109 needs. The needs were sorted and rated by 12 of the family caregivers, then analyzed using multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis.