52 year-old lady has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

upstream causes

downstream effects

Background Information

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neurons and neuron structures

spinal cord

Cerebrum

dorsal root ganglia contain the cell bodies of sensory neurons

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directs the conscious/ motor functions of the body

large part of the brain containing the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia and olfactory bulb

upmost region of the central nervous system

damage to motor areas can cause certain types of neuron diseases

functions come from the primary motor cortex and frontal lobe

movement

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long and thin tubules that are made of nervous tissue

it encloses the central canal of the spinal cord which contains cerebrospinal fluid

extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region

motor

interneurons

sensory

axons of the neurons travel into the spinal cord from the dorsal root

the gray matter in the center of the cord contains interneurons and cell bodies of motor neurons, axons and dendrites

neurons found in ascending tracts

sensory

2nd order

3rd order

1st order

neurons found in descending tracts

motor

upper motor neurons

lower motor neurons

2nd

3rd

1st

receive sensory information from the receptors and send them to sensory neurons in the posterior gray horns of the spinal cord

cell bodies of these neurons are found within the posterior nerve root ganglion

found in the posterior gray horns

fibers form in the ascending tracts

they carry impulses to different areas of the brain including the thalamus

live in the subcortical areas and they carry impulses to the cerebral cortex of the brain

upper motor

lower motor

cerebellum and cerebrum

from the ventral horn of the spinal cord to the conus medullaris

brain and brainstem to the ventral horn of the spinal cord

carry motor information in nerves from the upper motor neurons

the descending tracts transmit this information to lower motor neurons, allowing them to reach muscles

basal nuclei

cerebellum

precentral gyrus

located at the base of the brain

receives information from the sensory systems, spinal cord and regulates movement

located of primary motor cortex

responsible for controlling voluntary motor movement

composed of four clusters of neurons/ nerve cells

responsible for body movement and coordination

the cerebellum coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, and speech

this results in smooth, balanced muscle activity

direct

ALS kills motor neurons

indirect

risk factors

motor neurons in your brain that control voluntary movements are also destroyed

(large cells of the spinal cord that send nerve fibers out to control the muscles)

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smoking

sex

environmental exposure

age

military service

hereditary

5-10% inherit ALS from family

common age is 40's to mid 60's

before the age of 65, slightly more men than women develop ALS

traumatic injuries, viral infections and intense exertion

speaking problems

eating problems

breathing problems

dementia

might need a device to help you breathe at night

have a tracheostomy

may have to use other form of communication (sign-language, use of technology)

feeding tubes

speech-generating devices (SGDs)

medication is also a form of treatment

Riluzole (Rilutek)

Edaravone (Radicava)