title: Muscle atrophy associated with multiple sclerosis: a benign condition or the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
abstract: When muscular atrophy develops in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, its etiology may vary from benign to serious. We describe an individual with a 24-year history of MS who developed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The literature is reviewed with particular attention to the clinical and electrophysiologic characteristics of patients with MS and muscular atrophy and to those rare patients with concurrent MS and ALS. Circumstances warranting a heightened suspicion for concurrent ALS are discussed and careful evaluation of similar patients is encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA. jeffallen@rcn.com
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Royden Jones
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000209:etiology*