A 54-Year-Old Man Comes to the Physician Because of Progressive

A 54-year-old man comes to the physician because of progressive weakness in his upper extremities over the past 7 months. He initially noticed difficulty writing but now has difficulty performing his activities of daily living. He currently lives with his son. He has no personal or family history of serious illness and takes no medications. Vital signs are within normal limits. There is mild atrophy and twitching of the tongue. A diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is made and treatment with riluzole is initiated. If an autopsy is made to this pathient after death, it would most likely reveal which of the following additional findings?

A) Degeneration of dorsal spinal roots
B) Diaphragmatic atrophy
C) Diffuse brain atrophy
D) Inflammatory infiltrates in skeletal muscles
E) Plaques and gliosis in periventricular white matter

Correct Answer:

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