Hypokalemia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract

To the Editor.— Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive disease of unknown etiology in which there is destruction of the anterior horn cell, with the clinical expression of weakness and atrophy, fasciculations, and hyperreflexia. An electrolyte disturbance has not consistently been observed in this illness, yet we have recently noted persistent hypokalemia in one patient. The diagnosis of ALS had been established in June 1979. Since then the patient has had progressive involvement of the lower and upper extremities and trunk, preserving his ability to walk and swim by maintaining a schedule of exercise and rest. There were no other medical illnesses. Medications were diazepam, 10 mg at bedtime, and 50 to 100 g of lecithin daily, which was begun in April 1980. For the first four months this was taken as granules of animal lecithin mixed as a milkshake and for the past six months as soybean lecithin