[Cerebellar symptoms in motor neuron diseases. Special form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis plus syndrome].
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive and selective loss of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. The upper motor neuron syndrome is characterized by symptoms of spastic paresis. Muscle weakness and atrophy, fasciculations, and cramps are typical signs for the degeneration of the lower motor neurons. In 1994, the El Escorial criteria were proposed for the diagnosis of ALS. These criteria include ALS-plus syndromes, which are defined by an association of ALS with extrapyramidal features or dementia. In this paper, we present two cases of ALS associated with signs of cerebellar degeneration. According to the revised El Escorial criteria, the described unusual combination of upper and lower motor neuron signs in association with cerebellar ataxia can be classified as a specific form of ALS-plus syndromes.
Schimke
N
N
Neurologische Klinik, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30623 Hannover. nicole.schimke@t-online.de
Krampfl
K
K
Petri
S
S
Dengler
R
R
Bufler
J
J
D000368:Aged; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D013132:Spinocerebellar Degenerations / Q000175:diagnosis