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Central motor conduction is abnormal in motor neuron disease
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|February 1, 1987
Summary
Central motor pathway conduction is significantly slowed in many motor neuron disease patients, particularly in the spinal cord. This subclinical involvement may contribute more to disability than previously recognized.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
Background:
- Motor neuron disease (MND) affects central motor pathways.
- Clinical signs can be masked by lower motor neuron features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate central motor pathway conduction in MND patients.
- To correlate electrophysiological findings with clinical presentation.
Main Methods:
- Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the cortex and spinal cord.
- Measured motor evoked potentials in limb muscles (biceps, thenar, tibialis anterior).
- Compared 12 MND patients with 6 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Seven of 12 MND patients showed prominent, often asymmetrical, slowing of central motor conduction.
- Slowed conduction was most marked in the spinal cord.
- Subclinical central motor pathway involvement was detected in five patients.
- Motor pathways were harder to excite in MND patients.
Conclusions:
- Central motor pathway lesions in MND may be underestimated.
- Electrophysiological evidence suggests significant subclinical involvement.
- Findings may explain clinical deficits masked by lower motor neuron signs.