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Multifocal motor nerve conduction abnormalities in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
I Wirguin1, T Brenner, Z Argov
1Department of Neurology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|October 1, 1992
Summary
A subset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients showed motor nerve conduction abnormalities, including prolonged distal latency and conduction slowing. This suggests peripheral motor nerve fiber involvement in some ALS cases.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Motor nerve conduction is typically normal in motor neuron disease until late stages.
- Lower motor neuron syndrome associated with anti-glycolipid antibodies is a known exception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate electrophysiological findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients.
- To identify potential motor nerve conduction abnormalities in clinically typical ALS.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed electrophysiological findings of 31 patients diagnosed with ALS over 6 years.
- Analyzed motor and sensory nerve conduction parameters, including distal latency, conduction velocity, and conduction blocks.
Main Results:
- 19% (6 out of 31) of ALS patients displayed motor nerve conduction abnormalities.
- Prolonged distal latency or reduced distal conduction velocity in the median nerve was observed in all 6 patients.
- Multifocal motor conduction slowing and conduction blocks were also noted in some patients.
Conclusions:
- A subgroup of ALS patients, clinically indistinguishable from classical cases, may exhibit multifocal motor nerve conduction abnormalities.
- These findings suggest peripheral motor nerve fiber involvement in a subset of ALS patients.
- The cause of this peripheral nerve involvement in ALS remains unknown.