ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is the most common of the five motor neuron diseases. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to muscles throughout the body. Progressive degeneration of motor neurons leads to their death. When motor neurons die, the brain's ability to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With progressive impairment of voluntary muscle action, people may lose the ability to speak (dysarthria), eat (dysphagia), move and breathe (dyspnea).
Treatment:
Drug treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Taking medication to help manage the symptoms of ALS. Pain, depression, sleep disturbances, constipation, muscle cramps, stiffness, excess saliva and phlegm, and pseudobulbar affect. (As well as involuntary or uncontrollable episodes of crying and/or laughing or other emotional manifestations).
Physiotherapy of ALS
Physiotherapy and special equipment can improve an individual's independence and safety during a course of ALS. Gentle, low-impact aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming and stationary cycling, can strengthen unaffected muscles, improve cardiovascular health and help people combat fatigue and depression. Range of motion and stretching exercises can help prevent painful spasticity and shortening (contracture) of muscles.
Speech Therapy
People with ALS who have difficulty with speech may benefit from working with a speech therapist. They can learn adaptive strategies to speak louder and clearer.
Nutrition in ALS.
Dietitians can teach individuals and caregivers how to plan and prepare small meals throughout the day. Also how to provide enough calories, fiber and fluids and how to avoid foods that are difficult to swallow.
Assisted breathing
Doctors can test an individual's breathing to determine when to recommend a treatment called noninvasive ventilation (NIV). NIV refers to assisted breathing, which is usually delivered through a mask over the nose and/or mouth. Initially, NIV may only be needed at night. When the muscles are no longer able to maintain normal oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, NIV may be used full-time. NIV improves the quality of life for many people with ALS.
How can mesenchymal stem cells help?
Stem cell transplantation contributes to the restoration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord by replacing nerve cells. Also by generating new supporting cells that will re-form the insulating nerve sheath (myelin) and act as a bridge across the injury to stimulate regrowth of damaged axons. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells protect the cells at the site of injury from further damage. They release protective substances such as growth factors and absorb toxins such as free radicals when introduced into the spinal cord shortly after injury. This prevents the spread of injury by suppressing the damaging inflammation that can occur after injury so that stem cells can be transplanted into the body. Therefore, they can participate in the repair of the nerve injury to restore the nerve pathway, then patients can gain more functions.
Therapy:
When stem cells are transplanted by venous, muscle or intrathecal routes, these cells can provide tissue-protective molecules. Thus they can help (indirectly by cell integration and differentiation) to restore some of the circuits important to the network of nerves that carry information around the body. So this treatment improves the patient's breathing, their ability to control drift, their ability to move and the sensitivity of their lower limbs.
