Which of the following describes typical symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

Which of the following describes typical symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

• A. Seizures and coma
• B. Visual disturbances and hearing loss
• C. Limb weakness, dysarthria, and dysphagia
• D. Abdominal pain and constipation

Answer: (C)

ALS is a disease that damages motor neurons, so its typical picture is progressive weakness and wasting of voluntary muscles. As the motor system degenerates, you often see trouble with speaking and swallowing because those muscles weaken, leading to dysarthria and dysphagia, along with limb weakness as the disease advances. Sensory and cognitive functions are usually preserved early on, so seizures, coma, visual disturbances, or hearing loss aren’t characteristic features. Abdominal pain and constipation aren’t related to the motor neuron decline seen in ALS.

ALS is a disease that damages motor neurons, so its typical picture is progressive weakness and wasting of voluntary muscles. As the motor system degenerates, you often see trouble with speaking and swallowing because those muscles weaken, leading to dysarthria and dysphagia, along with limb weakness as the disease advances. Sensory and cognitive functions are usually preserved early on, so seizures, coma, visual disturbances, or hearing loss aren’t characteristic features. Abdominal pain and constipation aren’t related to the motor neuron decline seen in ALS.