But early mental impairment has not yet been well documented, particularly with a novel CT imaging technique developed at Robarts Research Institute in London.
Dr. Michael Strong, a Robarts Scientist who is also Chief of Neurology at London Health Sciences Centre, will track a group of patients over three years to see whether early memory and cognitive problems are predictors of future dementia, which may be more common in ALS patients than neurologists have traditionally believed.
CT imaging technology developed by Dr. Ting Lee will be used to measure small changes in blood flow to the brain that signal very early mental deficiencies in this debilitating disease that is fatal, usually within three to five years of diagnosis. There is currently no treatment that can significantly prolong life.
"If we can identify signs of cognitive impairment early in the course of disease, we can then mobilize resources to try to delay the progression. In addition, understanding that cognitive impairment can be a key feature of ALS will have a fundamental shift in our thinking regarding the biological basis of the disease," said Dr. Strong, who runs the largest ALS clinic in Canada and is a featured speaker at the symposium.
The Hon. Sharon Carstairs, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister with Special Responsibility for Palliative Care, will be another keynote speaker at the Oct. 25-27 gathering of 150 volunteers, organizational leaders, people with ALS, caregivers and health-care providers from across Canada.
CONTACT: Susan Graham Walker, Director of Communications and Program, ALS Society of Canada at (416) 497-2267 ext. 208 or sgw(at)als.ca. Individuals interested in participating in the study should call Dr. Michael Strong's clinic at (519) 663-3874 or email: rita.casciano(at)lhsc.on.ca.
Copyright © 2002 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.