J Korean Med Assoc.  2015 Feb;58(2):131-138. 10.5124/jkma.2015.58.2.131.

Diagnosis and management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kwoo@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of upper and lower motor neurons. The clinical diagnosis is confirmed by careful history taking, neurologic examination and electromyography. Like other neurodegenerative disease, ALS has many genetic and environmental factors. There are many studies reported about the pathogenesis and treatment of ALS. Many clinical trials are currently in progress. Herein we review about the epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of ALS.

Keyword

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Epidemiology; Pathophysiology; Diagnosis; Therapeutics

MeSH Terms

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis*
Diagnosis*
Electromyography
Epidemiology
Genetics
Motor Neurons
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurologic Examination

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