[An Autopsy Case of Amiotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Characterized by Upper Motor Neuron Degeneration and Progressive...

This is a case report of autopsy findings for a male Japanese patient who presented with progressive gait disturbance and dysarthria. Neurological examination at the age of 61 years revealed pseudobulbar palsy and upper motor neuron disorder. The patient appeared unaware of his illness. Electrophysiological examination showed lower neuron damage. The patient was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis characterized by lower motor neuron damage. He died of pneumonia 2 years and 3 months after diagnosis. Neuropathological examination demonstrated severe degeneration of the upper neurons and mild degeneration of the lower neurons. Immunohistological examination indicated transactivation-responsive DNA-binding protein-43-positive pathology in the frontal and temporal lobes, amygdala, corpus striatum, and spinal cord. We believe the neuropathological findings correlate well with the clinical features. Furthermore, we also discuss the lesions involved in the patient's dementia. (Received March 28, 2017; Accepted September 19, 2018; Published November 1, 2018).