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Updated: Jul 23, 2025
08:16
Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: March 4, 2014
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Nucleus accumbens changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Ioannis N Mavridis1,2, Efstratios-Stylianos Pyrgelis1,3
1"C.N.S. Alliance" Research Group Athens, Greece.
American Journal of Neurodegenerative Disease
|July 17, 2023
Summary
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involves changes in the nucleus accumbens (NA), including atrophy linked to neuronal loss. These NA alterations may contribute to behavioral and cognitive issues in ALS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
Background:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons.
- The nucleus accumbens (NA), part of the ventral striatum, modulates the brain's reward network.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on nucleus accumbens (NA) alterations in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Main Methods:
- Review of recent imaging and pathological studies on NA changes in ALS.
- Analysis of volumetric, cellular, and molecular alterations within the NA.
Main Results:
- Evidence of NA atrophy in ALS patients, indicated by imaging and pathological studies.
- Atrophy appears associated with neuronal loss and protein deposition in the NA.
Conclusions:
- The nucleus accumbens (NA) undergoes significant changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- NA atrophy in ALS may correlate with clinical manifestations such as apathy, behavioral disturbances, and cognitive impairment.
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