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Washington University Experience | NEURODEGENERATION | ALS | 6A1 ALS (Case 6) spinal cord_1

Case 6 History ---- The patient was a 53 year old man with a history of ALS and prior BJH admission for hypercarbic respiratory distress in November of 2009. His medical history was also significant for coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass graft, automated implanted cardioverter defibrillator placement, stent placement, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus. The patient had been diagnosed with ALS prior to his admission in 2009 and had symptoms of progressive upper and lower extremity weakness and worsening exertional dyspnea. Neuromuscular workup showed motor neuron disease/ALS. His clinical course included progressive worsening of dyspnea and extremity weakness. Clinical records indicate use of nocturnal noninvasive mechanical ventilation due to chronic respiratory failure. His clinical condition and course just prior to death was not available for review. ---- 6A1 At autopsy the weight of the unfixed brain was 1380g. There is no evidence of significant cortical or hippocampal atrophy or expansion of the ventricular system.

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