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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Motor Neuron Disease

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Neurologic and Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Larynx

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Abstract

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders affecting spinal and bulbar nerves. Of this class of diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common. Other MNDs differ in age of onset, distribution of motor neuron involvement, and disease severity. Most occur sporadically and have no clear cause, while a minority are inherited. All share an unrelenting course without known cure and commonly impair communication, deglutition, and respiration. They universally create significant impact to patient’s quality of life, nutritional status, and longevity. Treatments focus on managing symptoms and preventing adverse sequelae related to neurologic deficits.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Maggie A. Kuhn

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Lisa Marie Williams

Authors
  1. Maggie A. Kuhn
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  2. Lisa Marie Williams
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Correspondence to Maggie A. Kuhn .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Philip A. Weissbrod

  2. Division of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    David O. Francis

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Kuhn, M.A., Williams, L.M. (2020). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Motor Neuron Disease. In: Weissbrod, P., Francis, D. (eds) Neurologic and Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Larynx. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28852-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28852-5_11

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-28852-5

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