Pharmacotherapy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: An insight

Abstract

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease of motor neurons resulting in worsening of voluntary muscles and degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex brainstem and spinal cord. Pathogenetic mechanism of ALS includes involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and apoptosis showing that ALS is a multifactorial disease. Major symptoms include spasticity, cognitive impairment, malnutrition and muscle cramps. As ALS still remains fatal due to several complications involved, various advances have been made in modifying the disease course. Symptomatic treatment, due to complicated symptoms, and nutrition assessment and intervention, due to the involvement of malnutrition in patients has an important role in controlling the distress caused by the disease. This article reviews the current therapeutic approaches including recent advances in pharmacological treatment strategies along with nutrition and dietary supplements based on the potential to delay onset of disease, retard the progression of disease, extend the lifespan and improve the quality of life of patients.