The scope of the Motor Neuron Disorders (MND) outpatient clinic is the clinical and laboratoryevaluation, diagnosis, treatment and palliative therapy of new patients suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and other rare Motor Neuron Disorders.
ALS is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons of brain and spinal cord. Muscular weakness, muscle atrophies, spasticity, cramps, fibrillations, dysarthria, dyskataposia and finally respiratory failure are the main signs. It is a rare disease with prevalence (2-8/100.000) and occurrence (1-2 new cases/100.000/year). The life expectancy of the disease is 2-4 years. In ALS we have 50% at least destruction of motor neurons attended by diffuse astrogliosis and microgliosis, basophilic and ubiquitin inclusions.
Approximately 10% of cases are hereditary. In >70% of the hereditary cases the causative genes have been identified. The most frequent are SOD1, TDP-43 and C9orf72.
In Motor Neuron Disorders spectrum are included some rare syndromes like PLS, LMND and PBP.
All patients with suspected diagnosis of MNDs undergo complete ENG-EMG testing in the Clinical Neurophysiology Unit of the 1st Department of Neurology at Eginition Hospital. Other more specific tests like anti-ganglioside or onconeuronal antibodies are usually required in order to exclude ALS-like syndromes.
The MND outpatient cllinic is closely associated with the inpatient ward of Neuromuscular Disorders. Additionally, it has established collaborations with several related medical specialties, including psychiatrists, physiotherapists, pneumonologists, gastroenterologists, as well as other health-scientists, such as social-workers and speech-therapists, in order to alleviate the devastating symptoms of the disease. Non-interventive mechanical ventilation and gastrostomy are the most critical palliative treatment modalities. There is no effective treatment except a couple of drugs that may slow down the disease development, namely anti-glutamergic riluzole and anti-oxidative endaravone.
The Clinic also teaches students and educates postgraduated neurologists. Research studies are carried out resulting in several publications-communications in medical journals and congresses.
Associate Professor in Neurology M.Rentzos is Head of the Unit.