Assessment of suspected motor neuron disease

What you need to knowAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, a form of motor neuron disease) was previously considered rare, but incidence is expected to increase by 30% by 2040ALS is a multisystem disease that commonly causes cognitive and behavioural changes; up to one quarter of patients meet the criteria for dementiaDiagnostic delay may reduce access to treatment and support that could improve survival and quality of life; refer urgently for expert assessment patients with asymmetrical painless progressive weakness or unexplained changes to swallowingMotor neuron disease (MND) represents a group of neurodegenerative disorders that feature progressive motor weakness of limb or bulbar muscles (ie, those innervated by the lower brain stem). Classically, three distinct MND phenotypes are described, and these present along a spectrum of upper and lower motor neuron dysfunction,1 with increasing recognition of non-motor features.2Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) represents 85% of all MND cases, and features a combination of upper…
Read Original Article: Assessment of suspected motor neuron disease »