Relation between cognitive dysfunction and reduced vital capacity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with cognitive impairment have fronto-temporal dysfunction. Whereas in some patients with ALS the fronto-temporal dysfunction is undoubtedly due to the degenerative process associated with the disease, in others dysfunction cannot be accounted for by an irreversible degenerative process alone, as it also appears to involve a reversible process. We hypothesised that reduced vital capacity can be a key contributor to the fronto-temporal dysfunction observed in patients with ALS.

Objective

To investigate the association between fronto-temporal dysfunction and reduced vital capacity in ALS.

Methods

16 consecutive patients who conformed to a diagnosis of definite or probable ALS (El escorial criteria) were g

SUBMITTER: Kim SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2095584 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature