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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A phylogenetic disease of the corticomotoneuron?
Author(s) -
Eisen Andrew,
Kim Seung,
Pant Bhanu
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880150215
Subject(s) - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , neuroscience , nonhuman primate , disease , biology , pathogenesis , primate , psychology , medicine , evolutionary biology , pathology , immunology
It is proposed that the primary cell involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the corticomotoneuron. The spinal motoneuron becomes affected as a result of antegrade effects. This hypothesis does not negate most of the presently popular theories regarding the pathogenesis of ALS, but directs focus to one cell type–the corticomotoneuron. It takes cognizance of the complex, monosynaptic, corticomotoneuronal‐spinomotoneuronal connections that have evolved in primates, and especially in man. It might explain the lack of any natural or thus far induced animal model which closely mimics the human disease. Threshold measurements to transcotical magnetic stimulation might be used to test the hypothesis. Replication of ALS in an animal is only likely to succeed in a nonhuman primate.