[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also threatens the octogenarian]

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, incurable, mostly declared near the age of sixty-seventy, but more rarely for the older individuals. Because presenting symptoms are non specific (muscle weakness, functional decline, loss of ambulation, dyspnea, dysphagia), diagnosis in early stages may be difficult and delayed, particularly on polymorbid older patients. Symptomatic management is the mainstay of treatment for ALS; care in multidisciplinary team, with maximal psychologic support, is associated with enhanced quality of life. In this article we remind markings aspects of ALS of the older subject, in the light of the follow-up of five patients in our geriatric service.