Cognitive and Affective Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Clinical and Prognostic Aspects

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscular impairment resulting in death, mainly from respiratory failure. Interest has recently grown around the clinical and prognostic aspects of cognitive and psychiatric dysfunctions in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In fact, about 50% of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis individuals have cognitive impairment, which may affect ALS patients’ quality of life. In this review, we carried out a literature search focusing on neuropsychiatric symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and on their relationship with the prognostic aspects of the disease. We pointed out that cognitive impairment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis as well as psychiatric symptomatology could have a significant effect on disease global outcome, also impacting motor impairment progression. Further studies are needed to shed new light on the biological and neurophysiological basis of cognitive functions and psychological problems in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and on their impact on disease prognosis.