title: Shostakovich and ALS.
abstract: The life of the Russian composer Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (25 September 1903 - 9 August 1975) was marked by chronic ill health. There is evidence that he suffered from a progressive asymmetric weakness of the limbs. The diagnosis of his condition eluded multiple physicians and was never conclusively identified. Despite enduring an insidious 20-year course, Shostakovich remained a prolific composer and performer. His remarkable cultural contributions, in the setting of such adversity, continue to inspire other people beset with chronic paralytic illnesses such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
authors.forename: Veena R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Kalapatapu
authors.forename: Aedan P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Gilkey
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pascuzzi
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000266:history*; D005197:Famous Persons; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music / Q000266:history*