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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
12:35
Clinical Testing and Spinal Cord Removal in a Mouse Model for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Published on: March 17, 2012
The skin in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
1Department of Neurology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Ichihara Hospital, Chiba, Japan. ono@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
Summary
Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) exhibit unique skin properties, including resistance to bedsores and delayed return phenomenon (DRP), suggesting novel insights into disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dermatology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) paradoxically do not develop bedsores, even in advanced stages.
- ALS patient skin exhibits a unique 'delayed return phenomenon' (DRP), characterized by reduced elasticity and slow recoil after stretching, typically observed years after symptom onset.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on skin characteristics in ALS patients.
- To explore potential mechanisms and pathogenesis underlying the observed skin changes in ALS.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating skin properties in ALS patients.
- Analysis of clinical observations regarding skin elasticity and pressure sore development.
Main Results:
- Consistent observation of reduced skin elasticity and DRP in ALS patients.
- Absence of pressure ulcers in ALS patients, even at terminal stages, despite immobility.
Conclusions:
- The unique skin properties in ALS, including resistance to bedsores and DRP, warrant further investigation.
- Understanding these dermatological manifestations may provide novel insights into ALS pathophysiology and potential therapeutic targets.
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