A 52-year-old female (a proud Gulf War veteran) presents in the doctor’s office complaining of recent challenges with completing normal tasks. Since her 20’s, she has been an avid pool player, even competing in her local amateur pool league. Recently, however, she has found it difficult to continue to play. The pool sticks have begun to feel heavier and she doesn’t have the strength to strike the balls as hard as she used to. Her muscle weakness has impacted other areas of her life as well; she is no longer able to go grocery shopping because her legs get tired too quickly and recently, she tripped outside her house and hurt her knee. When asked about her family medical history, she states that her brother died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when he was 31, and while it was not confirmed, she suspects that he father died from ALS as well. Genetic testing confirms that this patient also has ALS. Is this disease treatable? What is the likely progression of this disease?
Physiology
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Ascending tracts
Sensory tracts
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1st order neuron
Neuron with receptors, brings info to spinal cord
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