eMedicine Specialties > Neurology > Behavioral Neurology and Dementia

Dementia in Motor Neuron Disease: Follow-up

Author: Joe Verghese, MD, MRCPI, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 1, 2006

Follow-up

Deterrence/Prevention

  • No effective methods exist.

Complications

  • Progressive bulbar palsy results in dysphagia, the risk of aspiration pneumonia, and mutism.
  • Muscular wasting and weakness may occur.
  • Parkinsonism may develop in some patients.
  • Dyspnea and hypoxic encephalopathy may be related positionally and can interfere with reclining for sleep.

Prognosis

  • Clinical signs of MND follow or accompany the onset of dementia.
  • MND is responsible for death, which usually occurs within 3 years of onset.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Depending on the patient's occupation and level of cognitive and neurologic dysfunction, medical leave of absence or early retirement may be advisable.
 


More on Dementia in Motor Neuron Disease

Overview: Dementia in Motor Neuron Disease
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Dementia in Motor Neuron Disease
Treatment & Medication: Dementia in Motor Neuron Disease
Follow-up: Dementia in Motor Neuron Disease
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

ALS dementia, frontotemporal dementia with motor neuron disease, FTD/MND, frontal lobe dementia with motor neuron disease, FLD/MND, MND, FTD

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Joe Verghese, MD, MRCPI, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Joe Verghese, MD, MRCPI is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Geriatrics Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Rodrigo O Kuljis, MD, Esther Lichtenstein Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology, Director, Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Miami School of Medicine
Rodrigo O Kuljis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and Society for Neuroscience
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Richard J Caselli, MD, Professor, Department of Neurology, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Chair, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic of Scottsdale
Richard J Caselli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, American Neurological Association, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Selim R Benbadis, MD, Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa General Hospital
Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Howard A Crystal, MD, Professor, Departments of Neurology and Pathology, State University of New York Downstate; Consulting Staff, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and Kings County Hospital Center
Howard A Crystal, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Neurological Association
Disclosure: Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Myriad Honoraria Consulting

 
 
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