Medical Health Encyclopedia

The gait may be stiff or clumsy. Reflexes may be abnormal, including loss of the gag reflex. Some patients have "emotional incontinence" in which it is hard to control crying or laughing.

• An EMG indicates that the motor nerves are not functioning, yet the sensory nerves are normal.
• A head CT or MRI of head may be done to rule out other conditions.
• If there is a family history, a genetic test may be performed.
• A breathing test may be given to see if respiratory muscles are affected.
• Blood tests can exclude other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.