Motor Neuron Disease
Synonyms
Anterior Horn Cell Disease
Familial Motor Neuron Disease
Lateral Scleroses
Lateral Scleroses, Primary
Lateral Sclerosis
Lateral Sclerosis, Primary
Lower Motor Neuron Disease
Motor Neuron Disease, Familial
Motor Neuron Disease, Lower
Motor Neuron Disease, Secondary
Motor Neuron Disease, Upper
Motor Neuron Diseases
Motor System Disease
Motor System Diseases
Neuron Disease, Motor
Neuron Diseases, Motor
Primary Lateral Scleroses
Primary Lateral Sclerosis
Scleroses, Lateral
Scleroses, Primary Lateral
Sclerosis, Lateral
Sclerosis, Primary Lateral
Secondary Motor Neuron Disease
Upper Motor Neuron Disease
Diseases characterized by a selective degeneration of the motor neurons of the spinal cord, brainstem, or motor cortex. Clinical subtypes are distinguished by the major site of degeneration. In AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS there is involvement of upper, lower, and brainstem motor neurons. In progressive muscular atrophy and related syndromes (see MUSCULAR ATROPHY, SPINAL) the motor neurons in the spinal cord are primarily affected. With progressive bulbar palsy (BULBAR PALSY, PROGRESSIVE), the initial degeneration occurs in the brainstem. In primary lateral sclerosis, the cortical neurons are affected in isolation. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1089)