Gastrointestinal dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder, charac terized by progressive loss of motor neurons. However, ALS has been recogni zed to involve several non-motor systems, Subclinical involvement of the au tonomic system (i.e. of cardial or sudomotor regulation) has been described in ALS. Gastrointestinal motor dysfunction can occur in amyotrophic latera l sclerosis, even if patients do not complain of gastrointestinal symptoms. New techniques in non-invasive evaluation of gastrointestinal function sho wed delayed gastric emptying and delayed colonic transit times in patients with ALS.