Plasmapheresis with immunosuppression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Four patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and one with progressive muscular atrophy were treated with large-volume plasmapheresis combined with immunosuppression. Assessment of muscle strength and functional ability was performed during a period of time ranging from 6.2 to 13 months. Patients were compared with a clinically matched control group. Both treated and untreated patients continued to show similar deterioration. The results of this study failed to show any therapeutic benefit of plasmapheresis with immunosuppression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.