Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with speech apraxia, predominant upper motor neuron signs, and prominent iron accumulation in the frontal operculum and precentral gyrus

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease; transactivation response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) and iron accumulation are supposed to play a crucial role in the pathomechanism of the disease. Here, we report an unusual case of a patient with ALS who presented with speech apraxia as an initial symptom and upper motor neuron deficiencies. In the early clinical stages, single-photon emission computed tomography visualized focal hypoperfusion of the right frontal operculum, and magnetic resonance imaging identified a hypointense area along the frontal lobe on T2-weighted images. Neuropathological examination revealed that neuronophagia of Betz cells, gliosis, appearance of phosphorylated TDP-43 (p-TDP-43)-positive glial and neuronal inclusions, and prominent iron accumulation were frequently visible in the precentral gyrus. TDP-43 pathology and focal iron accumulation were also visible in the frontal operculum, but only a mild neuronal loss and a few p-TDP-43-positive neuronal and glial inclusions were found in the hypoglossal nucleus of the medulla oblongata and anterior horn of the spinal cord. Immunoblot analysis revealed an atypical band pattern for ALS. In our case, abnormal TDP-43 and iron accumulation might possibly have caused neurodegeneration of the frontal operculum, in tandem or independently; it might then have spread into the primary motor area. Our results suggest a causative association between TDP-43 and iron accumulation in the pathomechanisms of ALS presenting with upper motor neuron signs.

Automated summary

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease where TDP-43 and iron accumulation are believed to play crucial roles. A case study reported initial speech apraxia and upper motor neuron deficiencies in a patient with ALS, with neuropathological examination revealing neuronophagia, gliosis, and significant iron accumulation in the precentral gyrus. The results suggest a possible causative association between TDP-43 and iron accumulation in the pathomechanisms of ALS presenting with upper motor neuron signs.