Dementia in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
- Dementia in ALS Overview
- Dementia in ALS Causes
- Dementia in ALS Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Dementia in ALS Treatment
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
Dementia in ALS Overview
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disorder. It affects the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary movements. ALS is sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the famous baseball player who died of the disease. The muscles become progressively weaker, and the disease eventually leads to paralysis and death.
ALS is one of a group of diseases known as motor neuron diseases. Neurons are nerve cells, and motor neurons control movement. Persons with motor neuron disease gradually lose muscle control and become paralyzed. No cure is available for ALS or any other motor neuron disease. The effects of these diseases are not reversible. Most people with ALS die within 5 years of the onset of symptoms.
Most experts believe that ALS does not affect a person’s mental processes. In most people, neither cognitive processes (such as thinking, learning, memory, and speech) nor behavior is affected. Occasionally, however, a person with ALS does experience profound mental changes, which are called dementia. Dementia is a severe brain disorder that interferes with a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.
Dementia in ALS is thought to be due to destruction of cells in the frontal lobe of the brain. The frontal lobe is the part of the brain from the forehead back to the ears. This type of dementia is often called frontal lobe dementia. Frontal lobe dementia has other causes besides ALS. We are still learning about why ALS causes frontal lobe dementia in some people.
Dementia is rare in ALS. It occurs in all ethnic groups and in both men and women. People aged 55-65 years are most likely to be affected.
Next: Dementia in ALS Causes »
Important Safety Information
Vimpat (lacosamide) is a medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in patients 17 years of age and older with epilepsy. Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Vimpat is right for you. Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment. Please see additional Patient Safety Information
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Dementia in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig Disease)
Electromyography (EMG) Introduction
Electromyography, or EMG, involves testing the electrical activity of muscles. Often, EMG testing is performed with another test that measures the conducting function of nerves. This is called a nerve conduction study. Because both tests are often performed at the same office visit and by the same personnel, the risks and procedures generally apply to both tests.
Muscular movement involves the action of muscles and nerves and needs an electrical current. This electrical current is much weaker than the one in your household wiring.
In some medical conditions the electrical activity of the muscles or nerves is not normal. Finding and describing these electrical properties in the muscle or nerve may help your doctor diagnose your condition.
EMG may aid with the diagnosis of nerve compression or injury (such as carpal tunnel syndrome), nerve root injury (such as sciatica), and with other problems of the muscles or nerves. Less...
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Dementia in Motor Neuron Disease »
Most patients with motor neuron disease (MND) are free of cognitive impairment, but there is growing evidence of an association between MND and frontal lobe or frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
