肌萎缩侧索硬化患者膈神经传导的电生理分析

目的 通过分析肌萎缩侧索硬化(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,ALS)患者膈神经传导检测,并结合其它神经电生理资料,为该病提供更深入的认识,进一步指导临床诊疗。方法 研究范围为武汉大学人民医院2014年1月-2021年12月就诊的ALS患者共88例,收集患者的一般资料、主要症状及体征、肌萎缩侧索硬化改良量表(ALSFRS-R)评分、运动神经传导检测中的复合肌肉动作电位(CMAP)波幅和远端运动潜伏期(DML)等指标。结果(1)运动神经传导检测中CMAP波幅降低192条(43.6%),膈神经波幅异常率为35.2%; 远端潜伏期延长116条(26.4%),膈神经DML异常率为77.3%;(2)膈神经DML在性别方面存在明显差异(P<0.01);(3)ALSFRS-R评分与膈神经、尺神经、正中神经、腓总神经、胫神经的CMAP波幅呈正相关(r=0.393,P<0.01; r=0.375,P<0.01; r=0.413,P<0.01; r=0.251,P<0.05; r=0.442,P<0.01);(4)膈神经DML及CMAP波幅在起病部位方面存在明显差异(P<0.05; P<0.05);(5)膈神经DML在判断病情中度和轻度之间的最佳界点为9.095 ms,敏感性为85.7%,特异性为80.2%。结论 ALS患者的运动神经传导可表现异常,CMAP波幅下降占比较大,但膈神经中潜伏期延长比CMAP波幅降低更多见。膈神经传导检测存在一定程度的性别差异。行运动神经传导检测时多条神经CMAP波幅变化可反映ALS患者病情严重程度。膈神经潜伏期变化可更敏感地反映ALS的病情严重程度,以期指导临床诊断与治疗。     

Comparison of psychosocial factors between patients with benign fasciculations and those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In this retrospective study, we compared the initial presentation of patients who were eventually diagnosed with either benign fasciculations (BF) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We found a significantly higher number of patients with BF reporting a past history of psychiatric symptoms, life stressors, and concurrent psychosomatic symptoms. There was no difference between the two groups in patient report of current anxiety or depression symptoms. These findings support our hypothesis that BF are a manifestation of psychological distress due to somatization and that reviewing psychosocial history is important when patients are being evaluated for fasciculations. Patients seeking medical attention for fasciculations and who do not report a history of underlying psychiatric or psychosomatic disorders should be followed closely as fasciculations have been reported to be a presenting feature of ALS.     

Progressive axonal dysfunction and clinical impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objective

To elucidate longitudinal changes in axonal function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, and to relate such changes with motor unit loss and functional impairment.

Methods

37 ALS patients (age, 53.7 ± 1.7 years; 22 males) were studied using axonal excitability techniques at baseline and 12 weeks follow-up.

Results

Longitudinal measurements across excitability parameters suggested increasing K⁺ channel dysfunction, with further increases in depolarising threshold electrotonus (90–100 ms, baseline, 46.8 ± 1.0%; follow-up, 48.7 ± 0.8%; P = 0.02) and superexcitability (baseline, −24.0 ± 1.2%; 12 weeks, −26.0 ± 1.2%; P = 0.04). Patients with preserved compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude at follow-up developed more severe changes in axonal excitability than those in whom CMAP decreased from baseline, suggesting that the most pronounced disease effects were on motor axons immediately prior to axonal loss in ALS patients. Fine motor decline was associated with more severe changes in axonal excitability, suggesting that functional impairment was related to axonal dysfunction.

Conclusions

Longitudinal changes in axonal excitability in ALS patients suggest increasing K⁺ channel dysfunction in motor axons.

Significance

Axonal excitability studies enable investigation of longitudinal changes in axonal ion channel dysfunction, and thereby the processes that potentially contribute to axonal degeneration in ALS.     

IgG subclasses and their intrathecal synthesis in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may be an autoimmune disease. In this paper IgG subclasses levels in the CSF and sera and their intrathecal synthesis were studied. IgG subclasses levels were determined by ELISA method using monoclonal antibodies against human IgG subclasses, secondary biotinylated antibody and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex. There was statistically significant elevation of IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses in the CSF of ALS patients. In sera of patients with ALS, IgG2 level was diminished, but there was no statistical difference in other IgG subclasses. IgG1 and IgG3 indices were elevated in patients with ALS, detecting synthesis of these subclasses in the CNS. General IgG index value did not differ from the control value. The results support the concept that autoimmune mechanisms may play a role in the pathogenesis of ALS.     

Multipoint incremental motor unit number estimation versus amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale and the medical research council sum score as an outcome measure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction:

Monitoring the disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a challenge due to different rates of progression between patients. Besides clinical methods to monitor disease progression, such as the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS) and the medical research council (MRC) sum score, quantitative methods like motor unit number estimation (MUNE) are of interest.

Objective:

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the rate of progression in ALS using multipoint incremental MUNE and to compare MUNE, ALSFRS and MRC sum score at baseline and at 6 months for progression of the disease.

Materials and Methods:

Multipoint incremental MUNE using median nerve, ALS-FRS and MRC sum score was carried out in 29 ALS patients at baseline and then at 6 months.

Results:

Of the 29 ALS patients studied, the mean MUNE at baseline was 21.80 (standard deviation [SD]: 19.46, range 4-73), 15.9 in the spinal onset group (SD: 14.60) and 30.16 (SD: 22.89) in the bulbar onset group. Spinal onset patients had 74.02% of baseline MUNE value while bulbar onset patients had only 24.74% baseline value MUNE at 6 months follow-up (Unpaired t-test, P = 0.001). ALSFRS and MRC sum score showed statistically significant decline (P < 0.001) at 6 months follow-up. MUNE had the highest sensitivity for progression of the disease when compared to the ALS FRS and MRC sum score.

Conclusion:

Multipoint incremental MUNE is a valuable tool for outcome measure in ALS and other diseases characterized by motor unit loss. The rate of decline of multipoint incremental MUNE is more sensitive than that of MRC sum score and ALSFRS-R, when expressed as the percentage change from baseline.     

Illness perceptions, mood and health-related quality of life in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objectives

To divide amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in two clusters according to their illness representation, and to identify, between the two clusters, the differences in functional state, mood, and quality of life.

Methods

Seventy-four patients with ALS were recruited at our ALS Centre from different Italian regions, having been for multidisciplinary consultations. The patients' functional impairment was evaluated by the ALS Functional Rating Scale as well as the Bulbar Score and Forced Vital Capacity. Psychological Characteristics and quality of life of ALS patients were evaluated by Profile of Mood State, Illness Perception Questionnaire, and 36-item Short Form Health Survey.

Results

Only few of the ALS patients studied showed critical mood ratings. On the whole, the perceived quality of life, mood state, and the dimensions relating to their illness representation seem to be correlated to the functional state and respiratory capacity. The clustering of patients according to their illness representations allowed to highlight that ALS patients can be divided into two groups: adaptors and nonadaptors. The patients of the two groups, adaptors and nonadaptors, differed in respiratory capacity as well as in their mood and health-related quality of life.

Conclusions

This study supports the Common Sense Model (CSM) of illness representation when considering ALS patients. Their psychological reactions to illness and quality of life depend not only on the severity of the illness but also on the way the illness is represented. Therefore, CSM could become the theoretical framework for psychological interventions in ALS patients.     

139例肌萎缩侧索硬化临床及肌电图表现特点

目的 探讨肌萎缩侧索硬化(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,ALS)的临床及电生理特征,为早期准确诊断ALS提供依据.方法 回顾性研究近5年来收治的门诊及住院139例肌萎缩侧索硬化患者的临床及电生理表现,对其发病特点、症状、体征及实验室检查进行统计分析.结果 ALS在临床上慢性隐袭起病,逐渐进展,50岁前后发病,平均年龄49.1岁,平均病程2.4年.男性明显多于女性.首发症状为单侧上肢肌肉无力和肌肉萎缩最常见,其次为肌束震颤、延髓麻痹、锥体束征等,少数患者可出现肢体麻木、疼痛或发凉等感觉异常.临床主要症状是肢体无力、肢体和舌肌肌肉萎缩、锥体束征、肢体和舌肌肌束震颤.所有ALS侵害的部位均表现神经源性损害,胸锁乳突肌肌电图检查、胸脊旁肌肌电图、头部/颈/腰椎CT及MRI等辅助检查具有重要的确诊及鉴别诊断意义.结论 目前ALS的诊断仍然依靠临床表现.肌电图、CT/MRI是ALS诊断和鉴别诊断的重要辅助手段.     

The terminal latency of the phrenic nerve correlates with respiratory symptoms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the electrophysiological parameters in phrenic nerve conduction studies (NCS) that sensitively reflect latent respiratory insufficiency present in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Vitamin D deficiency and its supplementation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We studied 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D) levels in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the effect of vitamin D supplementation. Vitamin D levels were checked in 37 consecutive patients with ALS. Demographic data, vitamin D supplementation, change in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) score, and side effects from vitamin D were noted over a 9 month follow-up period. ALSFRS-R scores were compared between patients who took vitamin D and those who did not. The median age was 55 years and median time since symptom onset was 61 months. The mean vitamin D level was 22.3 ng/mL (normal range, 30–80 ng/mL). Eighty-one percent of patients had a vitamin D level lower than 30 ng/mL and 43% had a vitamin D level lower than 20 ng/mL. Twenty patients took 2000 international units of vitamin D daily. After adjustment for age and baseline vitamin D levels in a linear regression model, the ALSFRS-R score decline was smaller in patients taking vitamin D at 9 months (p = 0.02) but was not significantly different at 3 or 6 months. Median vitamin D levels rose from 18.5 to 31.0 ng/mL at 6 months in the group taking vitamin D. No side effects secondary to vitamin D supplementation were reported. Vitamin D supplementation at 2000 international units daily was safe over a period of 9 months and may have a beneficial effect on ALSFRS-R scores. Further studies are warranted to determine whether there is a benefit in vitamin D supplementation for all ALS patients.     

痛觉诱发电位示肌萎缩侧索硬化患者痛觉通路正常

目的 研究肌萎缩侧索硬化患者痛觉诱发电位的特点,评估其痛觉通路的传导.方法 肌萎缩侧索硬化患者60例,取卧位,应用接触性热痛诱发电位刺激器,直径27 mm(面积573 mm2),加热速度70℃/s.于54.5℃应用可调节脉冲,刺激部位为手背、前臂的掌侧面、第7颈椎棘突处(C7).记录仪器:Keypoint.net仪器.记录点为Cz和Pz.同时进行躯体感觉诱发电位检测,记录其波形及潜伏期.并对60名健康对照者进行相应研究.结果 肌萎缩侧索硬化患者接触性热痛诱发电位波形无异常,潜伏期分别为:手背刺激(561.2±28.6)ms,前臂掌侧刺激(540.1±39.2)ms,C7刺激(512.7±31.4)ms,与健康对照组[(558.7±30.2)、(536.6±23.5)、(501.8±26.0)ms]比较差异均无统计学意义(t=4.23、4.51、3.74,P＞0.05).其躯体感觉诱发电位各波潜伏期、波间期均正常.结论 肌萎缩侧索硬化患者接触性热痛诱发电位正常,提示其痛觉通路正常.     

Hyaluronic acid is increased in the skin and urine in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We performed morphological studies of skin and measured glycosaminoglycans in the urine from patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and control subjects. The wide spaces separating collagen bundles reacted strongly with alcian blue stain in ALS patients and stained more markedly as ALS progressed. Staining with alcian blue was virtually eliminated by Streptomyces hyaluronidase. The urinary excretion of hyaluronic acid (HA) (mg/day) was significantly increased (P < 0.01) in ALS patients compared with that of control subjects, and there was a significant positive correlation between the excreted amount of HA and the duration of illness in advanced ALS patients with a duration of more than 2 years from clinical onset (r = 0.72,P < 0.02). We suggest that sporadic ALS includes a metabolic disorder of HA in which an accumulation of HA in the skin is linked to an increased urinary excretion of HA.     

肌萎缩侧索硬化患者复合肌肉动作电位特点分析及其与临床关系的研究

目的分析肌萎缩侧索硬化患者复合肌肉动作电位之特点,探讨波幅改变与肌力、病程以及神经功能等级评分等方面的关系。方法收集2001年5月-2004年11月肌电图检查表现为广泛神经源性损害的肌萎缩侧索硬化患者127例,根据ElEscorial诊断标准,确诊级43例、拟诊级39例、可能级13例、可疑级32例。选择其中确诊级和拟诊级患者82例进行神经功能评分和Appel肌萎缩侧索硬化量表评分,然后对其复合肌肉动作电位波幅值与肌力、病程以及神经功能评分变化间的关系进行比较分析。结果(1)82例患者复合肌肉动作电位波幅下降,与肌力改变呈明显指数拟合关系(r=0.969,P=0.001)。(2)同一患者波幅水平随病程而逐渐降低,波幅下降速度较慢者病程较长;不同患者的波幅与病程无显著相关(r=!0.077,P=0.502)。(3)复合肌肉动作电位波幅水平降低与神经功能等级评分呈显著正相关(r=0.412,P=0.001),与Appel评分呈显著负相关(r=!0.549,P=0.001)。(4)患者复合肌肉动作电位波幅水平的降低与运动神经传导速度无明显相关(r=!0.087,P=0.545),但若将波幅与传导速度转换为正常下限的百分比取其平方根后,二者间则呈线性相关(r=0.382,P<0.001)。结论复合肌肉动作电位波幅改变是肌萎缩侧索硬化原发性与继发性病理改变共同作用的结果,随着患者肌无力和肌萎缩症状的逐渐加重,复合肌肉动作电位波幅亦明显下降,但由于此时髓鞘仍保留完整,传导速度仍可保持正常,提示肌萎缩侧索硬化患者肌力下降的机制主要系下运动神经元损害所致。在同一患者,复查时显示复合肌肉动作电位波幅随病程进展而逐渐下降,但尚难建立反映二者平行关系的时间-波幅曲线,提示复合肌肉动作电位波幅改变与病程关系较为复杂。此外,复合肌肉动作电位波幅与肌萎缩侧索硬化患者的神经功能等级评分和Appel量表评分明显相关,提示早期波幅下降较慢者病情相对较轻。     

The ratio of N-acetyl aspartate to glutamate correlates with disease duration of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Glutamate (Glu)-induced excitotoxicity has been implicated in the neuronal loss of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To test the hypothesis that Glu in the primary motor cortex contributes to disease severity and/or duration, the Glu level was investigated using MR spectroscopy. Seventeen patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were diagnosed according to the El Escorial criteria for suspected, possible, probable or definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We measured metabolite concentrations, including N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine, choline, inositol, Glu and glutamine, and performed partial correlation between each metabolite concentration or NAA/Glu ratio and disease severity or duration using age as a covariate. Considering our hypothesis that Glu is associated with neuronal cell death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, we investigated the ratio of NAA to Glu, and found a significant correlation between NAA/Glu and disease duration (r = −0.574, p = 0.02). The “suspected” amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients showed the same tendency as possible, probable and definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients in regard to correlation of NAA/Glu ratio with disease duration. The other metabolites showed no significant correlation. Our findings suggested that glutamatergic neurons are less vulnerable compared to other neurons and this may be because inhibitory receptors are mainly located presynaptically, which supports the notion of Glu-induced excitotoxicity.