[Charcot and Spinal Cord Disease]

This paper outlines the contributions of Jean-Martin Charcot (1825-1893) to the study of spinal cord diseases. Charcot pioneered the anatomoclinical method, which correlated clinical symptoms with pathological findings through detailed observations and autopsies. He elucidated the dual structure of the motor system-gray and white matter-and established the clinical and pathological framework of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, distinguishing it from other disorders. He also contributed to the understanding of tabes dorsalis by linking sensory ataxia to lesions of the dorsal columns and roots, and identified neurogenic joint disease (Charcot joint). Furthermore, Charcot described compressive myelopathy based solely on clinical signs and postmortem findings, highlighting the importance of symptom distribution, such as hand muscle atrophy, in the differential diagnosis. His legacy continues to influence modern neurology, reinforcing the value of precise clinical observation in the diagnostic process.