The immune system continues to knock at the ALS door

When evaluating a patient with progressive weakness for the first time, it is occasionally difficult to distinguish a motor neuron disease from an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. Our neurological testing may even cloud the picture, as nearly 1/3 of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may have decrement on repetitive nerve stimulation [1] and the risk of ALS is increased in people with concomitant autoimmune disease including myasthenia gravis (MG) [2]. In this context, the neurologist may wish to commence immunotherapy given the dismal alternative.

Source: Neuromuscular Disorders - April 18, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Nathan P. Staff, Stanley H. Appel Tags: Editorial Source Type: research