Attenuation of ALS progression during pregnancy-lessons to be learned or just a coincidence?

Neurol Sci. 2019 Jun;40(6):1275-1278. doi: 10.1007/s10072-019-03748-z. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Abstract

ALS is the most frequent motor neuron disorder in adults with suggested complex relationship regarding gender. Studies investigating ALS and hormones have provided varying results. ALS onset during pregnancy is uncommon and pregnancy after the ALS symptom onset is even rarer. We present three patients with the onset of ALS symptoms before or during pregnancy and propose a putative disease modifying mechanism leading to attenuation of disease progression that we observed during the pregnancies.

Keywords: ALS; FUS; Gender; Hormones; Immunomodulation; Pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / complications*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology*
  • Disease Progression*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*