Innovations In Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Advances in the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

• Published in: Missouri medicine Vol. 122; no. 3; pp. 199 - 205
• Main Authors: Arnold, W David, Castoro, Ryan, Saxena, Smita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Missouri State Medical Association 01.05.2025; Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association
• Subjects: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - diagnosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - rehabilitation; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - therapy; Artificial intelligence; Biomarkers; Chitinase; Dementia; Humans; Kinases; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medicine; Motor neurone disease; Mutation; Nervous system; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine - methods; Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine - trends; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation; Technological change; Tomography
• ISSN: 0026-6620

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron disease that causes loss of upper and lower motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and ultimately death. This review highlights recent advancements in Neuromuscular Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), emphasizing innovations in the diagnosis, treatment, and care delivery for ALS. The field of PM&R emphasizes a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach, incorporating advanced diagnostic tools, therapeutic strategies, adaptive equipment, and telerehabilitation to optimize function. Neuromuscular PM&R physicians play a key role in managing symptoms and maximizing functional independence. Current disease-modifying therapies include riluzole and edaravone which provide only modest benefits, but emerging gene therapies like tofersen for SOD1-related ALS offer promise for targeted treatment for genetic forms of ALS. Future advancements in regenerative therapies, biotechnologies, and digital health integration hold the potential to improve care and enhance the quality of life and functional independence of individuals living with ALS.