title: Immunosuppressive treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: Documented treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not available. Several studies have suggested an immunological etiology and an effect on the course of disease, when ALS-patients were treated with immunosuppressants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of immunosuppressive therapy in ALS-patients comparing the course of disease in treated patients and in historic controls with ALS; 21 patients were included in the study, 17 men and 4 women. Median age at admission was 54 years for men and 61 years for women. 5 had progressive bulbar palsy, 7 both upper and lower motor neuron affections and 9 progressive muscular atrophy. Patients were treated with prednisolone and azathioprine for 1 year and examined regularly; 12 were treated and followed for more than a year. No definite difference between survival in treated patients and their controls was found.
authors: Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Werdelin
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Boysen
authors: T S
authors: TS
authors: Jensen
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Mogensen
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone