The Scientific Program - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Sunday,  April 07, 2019

Hall B- PICASSO

07:00-08:00

E-Poster Presentations

08:00-10:00

SESSION 43 | AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS)

Chairpersons:

Nana Kvirkvelia, Georgia, Juan Francisco Vazquez-Costa, Spain

08:00-08:50

Is the incidence of ALS increasing?

Capsule: Compared to epidemiological studies, more recent population-based surveys provide higher incidence rates of ALS. Is the disease becoming more frequent or perhaps this finding is a reflection of a more accurate diagnostic ascertainment? The aging of the population may explain a true increase but the detection of the disease in older individuals previously diagnosed with other clinical conditions offers an alternative explanation.

08:00-08:10

Host: Giancarlo Logroscino, Italy

08:10-08:25

Pro: Mónica Povedano Panades, Spain

08:25-08:40

Con: Ettore Beghi,  Italy

08:40-08:50

Discussion and rebuttals

08:50-10:00

Should we offer a genetic test to all ALS patients?

Capsule: There is increasing evidence that ALS  has a multifactorial origin with interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Genes implicated in the disease were discovered, are also involved in other diseases. This makes counseling a complicate issue. Is the present evidence sufficient for offering genetic testing to newly diagnosed patients?

08:50-09:00

Host:

09:00-09:15

Yes: Antonio Federico, Italy

09:15-09:30

No: Vivian Drory, Israel

09:30-09:40

Discussion and rebuttals

10:00-10:15

Coffee Break

10:15-11:05

SESSION 44- ALS AND FTD; CAUSES OF ALS

Chairperson:

Margarida Gama-Carvalho & JS Mora

10:15-11:05

10:15-10:25

10:25-10:40

10:40-10:55

10:55-11:05

Is fronto-temporal dementia a nosologic entity distinct from ALS?

Capsule: The discovery of the C9orf72 gene supported a genetic basis of ALS by increasing the proportion of patients with genetic susceptibility. However, the same gene has been implicated in the occurrence of fronto-temporal dementia. Is this finding sufficient to conclude that ALS and FTD are different aspects of the same disease or, given the multiple disease mechanisms attributable to our genes; they still are separate nosographic entities?

Host: Daniel Drubach, USA

Yes: Eugen Tarnow, USA

No: Vivian Drory, Israel

Discussion and rebuttals

11:05-12:45

SESSION 45 | ALS: RISK AND THERAPY

Chairperson:

Adofo de Munain & J Riancho  

11:05-11:55

Is statistical significance sufficient for recommending the use of a drug for ALS patients?

Capsule: ALS is still considered an untreatable neurodegenerative disease. There are only two drugs, Riluzole and Edaravove that showed a statistically significant but a clinically modest efficacy in ALS patients. The use of a drug with modest efficacy does not have a significant impact on the progression of this devastating disease and increases the risk: benefit ratio of treatment. However, in the absence of effective treatments, is an at-best modest efficacy sufficient to give hope to the patient?

11:05-11:15

Host: Philippe Couratier, France

11:15-11:30

Yes: Albert Ludolph, Germany

11:30-11:45

No: Orla Hardiman, Ireland

11:45-11:55

Discussion and rebuttals

11:55-12:45

Is heavy physical exercise a risk factor for ALS?

Capsule: Several studies investigated the association between ALS and physical exercise with contrasting findings. Although the role of intensive physical exercise may be detrimental to motor neurons and occupations implying heavy physical activities have been thought to increase the risk of ALS, there are reports showing protective effects of physical activity on ALS as with other neurodegenerative diseases. On this basis, should heavy physical exercise be considered a risk factor or a protective factor for ALS?

11:55-12:05

Host: Ettore Beghi, Italy

12:05-12:20

Pro: Philippe Couratier, France

12:20-12:35

Con: Orla Hardiman, Ireland

12:35-12:45

Discussion and rebuttals