Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common neurodegenerative disease of the motor system. Bulbar symptoms such as dysphagia and dysarthria are frequent features of ALS and can result in reductions in life expectancy and quality of life. These dysfunctions are assessed by clinical examination and by use of instrumented methods such as fiberendoscopic evaluation of swallowing and videofluoroscopy. Laryngospasm, another well-known complication of ALS, commonly comes to light during intubation and extubation procedures in patients undergoing surgery. Laryngeal and pharyngeal complications are treated by use of an array of measures, including body positioning, compensatory techniques, voice and breathing exercises, communication devices, dietary modifications, various safety strategies, and neuropsychological assistance. Meticulous monitoring of clinical symptoms and close cooperation within a multidisciplinary team (physicians, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, caregivers, the patients and their relatives) are vital.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncpneuro0853 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
[A case of L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria diagnosed with involuntary movements, in which improvement in motor symptoms was achieved following treatment].
Rinsho Shinkeigaku
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center.
A 49-year-old female presented with the primary complaint of hand tremors. Neurological examination on admission revealed signs of cognitive impairment, bulbar palsy, dystonia, cerebellar ataxia, and pyramidal tract disease. T-weighted brain MRI revealed hyperintense signals in the subcortical white matter, basal ganglia, and cerebellar dentate nucleus, with no atrophy of the brainstem or corpus callosum.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA Comprehensive Comparative Study of Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy and Urethroplasty in Short-Segment Bulbar Urethral Strictures.
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Urology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, IND.
Background Currently, there is no data on the prevalence of urethral stricture illness in India. For short-segment bulbar urethral stricture, end-to-end anastomosis is the gold standard of care. The purpose of this study was to find where the direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) exists in today's era.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFALS Motor Observational Telemedicine Objective Rasch-Built Assessment: A Quantitative Scale for the Era of Teleneurology.
Neurol Clin Pract
April 2025
Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
Background And Objectives: Telemedicine has become a mainstay of ALS clinical care, but there is currently no standardized approach for assessing and tracking changes to the neurologic examination in this format. The goal of this study was to create a standardized telemedicine-based motor examination scale to objectively and reliably track ALS progression and use Rasch methodology to validate the scale and improve its psychometric properties.
Methods: A draft telemedicine examination scale with 25 items assessing movement in the bulbar muscles, neck, trunk, and extremities was created by an ALS expert panel, incorporating input from patient advisors.
Motor neuron diseases are not exclusively motor; the SSR paradigm.
Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener
January 2025
2nd Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Motor Neuron Diseases (MNDs), familial and sporadic, are progressive neurodegenerative disorders that, for an extended period in the past, were considered purely motor disorders. During the course of the disease, however, some patients exhibit concomitant non-motor signs; thus, MNDs are currently perceived as multisystem disorders. Assessment of non-motor symptoms is usually performed clinically, although laboratory tests can also be routinely used to objectively evaluate these symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssessment of upper GI motor activity and GI symptoms in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an observational study.
Front Neurol
January 2025
Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
Background/aims: Oro-pharyngeal dysfunction has been reported in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We aimed to assess ALS patients upper gastrointestinal (GI) motor activity and GI symptoms according to bulbar and spinal onset and severity of ALS.
Methods: ALS bulbar (B) and spinal (S) patients with ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-r) ≥35, bulbar sub-score ≥10, and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) >50%, underwent to: Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES); esophageal manometry; gastric emptying; Rome symptom questionnaire.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!