Treatment of Motor Neuron Diseases
Please scroll down to article list
(you may not get all of the symptoms mentioned here)
Prognosis varies depending on the type of MND and the age of onset. Some MNDs, such as PLS, are not fatal and progress slowly. Patients with SMA may appear to be stable for long periods, but improvement should not be expected. Some MNDs, such as ALS and some forms of SMA, are fatal.
There is no cure or standard treatment for the MNDs. Symptomatic and supportive treatment can help patients be more comfortable while maintaining their quality of life.
Medicines may help with symptoms:
Muscle relaxants such as baclofen, tizanidine, and the benzodiazepines may reduce spasticity.
Glycopyrrolate and atropine may reduce the flow of saliva.
Quinine or phenytoin may decrease cramps.
Anticonvulsants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help relieve pain, and other drugs can be prescribed to treat depression.
Tranquilizers often help with sleeping problems.
Some patients with PPS develop sleep apnea (a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by interruptions of breathing during sleep), which can be treated with decongestant therapy, assisted breathing at night, or surgery to remove any blockage to the airway.
Panic attacks over fears of choking to death can be treated with benzodiazepines.
Botulinum toxin may be used to treat jaw spasms or drooling.
Amitriptyline and other anticholinergic drugs can help control excess drooling.
Some patients may eventually require stronger medicines such as morphine to cope with musculoskeletal abnormalities or pain, and opiates are used to provide comfort care in terminal stages of the disease.
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation may help to improve posture, prevent joint immobility, and slow muscle weakness and atrophy.
Stretching and strengthening exercises may help reduce spasticity, increase range of motion, and keep circulation flowing.
Some patients require additional therapy for speech, chewing, and swallowing difficulties.
Applying heat may relieve muscle pain.
Assistive devices such as supports or braces, orthotics, speech synthesizers, and wheelchairs may help some patients retain independence.
Proper nutrition and a balanced diet are essential to maintaining weight and strength.
Some patients who cannot eat or swallow may require insertion of a feeding tube.
Patients may also require assisted ventilation due to muscle weakness in the neck, throat, and chest.
ALS: The drug riluzole (Rilutek®), the only prescribed drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ALS, prolongs life by 2-3 months but does not relieve symptoms. The drug reduces the body's natural production of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which carries signals to the motor neurons. Scientists believe that too much glutamate can harm motor neurons and inhibit nerve signaling.
Article Index:
- Physical therapy and exercise
- Coping and support
- Living with ALS, not dying of it.
- Staying Upright with a Neuromuscular Disease
- Exercise - Recreation
- Motor neurone disease - personal care
- Help with daily activities
- Independance at home
- Bidets - A Practical Aide
- Canes - selection and use
- MDA ALS Caregiver’s Guide
- Caregiver tips
- Clothing tips for women in wheelchairs
- Motor neurone disease - recreation and leisure
- Multidisciplinary care
- Multidisciplinary care for adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neuron disease (MND)
- Treatment for spasticity (muscle tightness and spasm) in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease
- Drug treatment - Muscle spasticity
- Treatment for cramps in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease
- Riluzole for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neuron disease (MND)
- Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Drug treatment - Bladder/bowel
- drug treatment - Clinical depression
- Drug therapy for pain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease
- Occupational therapy
- Assistive devices
- Orthotics
- Speech therapy
- Treatment of unintentional drooling of saliva in motor neuron disease
- Breathing and MND - what you can do
- Supportive counseling
- Diet and alternative medicine
- Antioxidants for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Clinical trial drugs