Question

Which diagnosis is considered both an upper and lower motor neuron disease?

a. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
b. Parkinson's disease
c. Multiple sclerosis
d. Huntington's disease

Answer 1

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects both upper and lower motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The diagnosis that is considered both an upper and lower motor neuron disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Upper motor neurons originate in the cerebral cortex and target the lower motor neurons, which in turn have a direct influence on skeletal muscles. In ALS, there is degeneration of both the upper motor neurons that reside in the cerebral cortex and brainstem and the lower motor neurons that are located in the spinal cord and brainstem. This degeneration leads to symptoms such as muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and eventually paralysis.