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)