SENSORY INVOLVEMENT IN AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS; NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Authors

Μαριάννα Παπαδοπούλου
NIKOLAOS KALLIAS Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Georgios Tsivgoulis Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
MD Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Eleni Bakola Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Stavroula Salakou Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Stella Fanouraki Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
Pinelopi Vlotinou Occupational Therapy Department, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

Keywords:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Sensory Impairment; Somatosensory Evoked Potentials; Sensory Conduction Studies; Sympathetic Skin Response

Abstract

Abstract (96 words)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder considered as a “pure” motor disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons. In the course of the disease, some patients exhibit concomitant nonmotor signs, and thus ALS is now considered a multisystem disorder. Cognitive or behavioral impairment and extrapyramidal symptoms are common findings. Sensory impairment in ALS has long been debated and disputed. The aim of this review is to present the neurophysiological assessment (Somatosensory Evoked Potentials, Sensory Conduction Studies and Sympathetic Skin Response) of sensory involvement in ALS and to discuss potential pathogenic mechanisms underlying it.