title: ALS, motor neuron disease, and related disorders: a personal approach to diagnosis and management.
abstract: Motor neuron disease, from diagnostic criteria, laboratory evaluation, communication with patients and their families, and the approach to long-term management represents a daunting challenge for many neurologists. Contained herein is a selective and biased discussion of several common dilemmas and questions that reflect recurring themes in the evaluation and management of patients with suspected motor neuron disease. The answers to these questions represent the author's opinions and are colored by personal experience, pearls graciously given to me by other experts in the field, and selected studies from the neuromuscular literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-2859, USA.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pascuzzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D019090:Case Management; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003401:Creatine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D019782:Riluzole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014139:Tracheostomy
chemical_list: D019782:Riluzole; D003401:Creatine