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Psychopathological features and suicidal ideation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

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Abstract

Psychopathological diagnosis has become increasingly important in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), since the recent emphasis on the comprehensive management and end-of-life decisions. Rorschach test is the third most commonly used psychological instrument worldwide and can offer a different approach from self-reporting questionnaires, mainly providing information on issues of which individuals may be unaware or unwilling to admit to. Forty-two ALS patients underwent a psychopathological assessment with the Rorschach test. Psychopathological data were also correlated with skeletal muscle strength as measured by MRC scale and functional evaluation as ALSFRSr and FVC values. Psychopathological features, including suicidial ideation, were more frequent in the recently diagnosed ALS patients. These features were observed to be different according to the kind of functional impairment. Rorschach test may be an useful tool to assess psychopathological features in ALS. Results of our study highlight the need of an early psychopathological diagnosis and specific psychotherapeutic treatment in patients with ALS.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge our patients and their caregivers. This study was supported by ASLA (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association) a non-profit local organization.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors do not report any conflict of interest or financial disclosures and have nothing to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 5, 35128, Padua, Italy

    Arianna Palmieri, Gianni Sorarù, Elisa Albertini, Carlo Semenza, Carla D’Ascenzo, Giorgia Querin, Elena Pegoraro & Corrado Angelini

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Valle d’Aosta, Strada Cappuccini, 2/A, 11100, Aosta, Italy

    Francesca Vottero-Ris & Alessandro Zennaro

Authors
  1. Arianna Palmieri
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  2. Gianni Sorarù
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  3. Elisa Albertini
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  4. Carlo Semenza
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  5. Francesca Vottero-Ris
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  6. Carla D’Ascenzo
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  7. Giorgia Querin
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  8. Alessandro Zennaro
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  9. Elena Pegoraro
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  10. Corrado Angelini
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Correspondence to Arianna Palmieri.

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Palmieri, A., Sorarù, G., Albertini, E. et al. Psychopathological features and suicidal ideation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Neurol Sci 31, 735–740 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0332-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-010-0332-3

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