scholarly journals Neuromuscular Ultrasound: Clinical Applications and Diagnostic Values

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 605-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean K. Mah ◽  
Nens van Alfen
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Neuromuscular Diseases ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases ◽  
Nerve Tumor ◽  
Diagnostic Certainty ◽  
Diagnostic Values ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Trauma

AbstractAdvances in high-resolution ultrasound have provided clinicians with unique opportunities to study diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Ultrasound complements the clinical and electrophysiology exam by showing the degree of abnormalities in myopathies, as well as spontaneous muscle activities in motor neuron diseases and other disorders. In experienced hands, ultrasound is more sensitive than MRI in detecting peripheral nerve pathologies. It can also guide needle placement for electromyography exam, therapeutic injections, and muscle biopsy. Ultrasound enhances the ability to detect carpal tunnel syndrome and other focal nerve entrapment, as well as pathological nerve enlargements in genetic and acquired neuropathies. Furthermore, ultrasound can potentially be used as a biomarker for muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. The combination of electromyography and ultrasound can increase the diagnostic certainty of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aid in the localization of brachial plexus or peripheral nerve trauma and allow for surveillance of nerve tumor progression in neurofibromatosis. Potential limitations of ultrasound include an inability to image deeper structures, with lower sensitivities in detecting neuromuscular diseases in young children and those with mitochondrial myopathies, due to subtle changes or early phase of the disease. As well, its utility in detecting critical illness neuromyopathy remains unclear. This review will focus on the clinical applications of neuromuscular ultrasound. The diagnostic values of ultrasound for screening of myopathies, neuropathies, and motor neuron diseases will be presented.

scholarly journals Current Genetic Survey and Potential Gene-Targeting Therapeutics for Neuromuscular Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9589
Author(s):  
Wei Chiu ◽  
Ya-Hsin Hsun ◽  
Kao-Jung Chang ◽  
Aliaksandr A. Yarmishyn ◽  
Yu-Jer Hsiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorders ◽  
Neuromuscular Diseases ◽  
Premature Termination Codon ◽  
Becker Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) belong to a class of functional impairments that cause dysfunctions of the motor neuron-muscle functional axis components. Inherited monogenic neuromuscular disorders encompass both muscular dystrophies and motor neuron diseases. Understanding of their causative genetic defects and pathological genetic mechanisms has led to the unprecedented clinical translation of genetic therapies. Challenged by a broad range of gene defect types, researchers have developed different approaches to tackle mutations by hijacking the cellular gene expression machinery to minimize the mutational damage and produce the functional target proteins. Such manipulations may be directed to any point of the gene expression axis, such as classical gene augmentation, modulating premature termination codon ribosomal bypass, splicing modification of pre-mRNA, etc. With the soar of the CRISPR-based gene editing systems, researchers now gravitate toward genome surgery in tackling NMDs by directly correcting the mutational defects at the genome level and expanding the scope of targetable NMDs. In this article, we will review the current development of gene therapy and focus on NMDs that are available in published reports, including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy Type 2C (LGMD2C).

Motor Neuron Diseases

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ratti ◽  
Merit E. Cudkowicz ◽  
James D Berry
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Experimental Therapy ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases ◽  
Efficacy Outcome ◽  
Single Disease Entity

The motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a family of diseases commonly categorized by their propensity to affect upper or lower motor neurons and by their mode of inheritance. The chapter provides some content on infectious MNDs caused by viral infections affecting the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. However, the chapter devotes most of its attention to the inherited and sporadically occurring MNDs. The majority of research into adult MND focuses on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to its high prevalence, rapid progression, and phenotypical similarities between its inherited form and its sporadic form. As our knowledge of genetic mechanisms underlying ALS pathology has grown, common themes have emerged. These include abnormalities in RNA biology, axonal transport, protein folding, and inflammatory responses. These themes currently drive much of the direction in ALS experimental therapy development. It is clear that MND is complex and involves several different molecular pathways. Given this complexity, ALS might not be a single disease entity, and if this is the case, treatment approaches may need to be targeted to specific pathologies rather than all ALS patients on a broad scale. Chapter content is enhanced by tables outlining the types of MNDs, criteria for supporting a diagnosis, first-line workup, the genes associated with ALS, ALS efficacy outcome measures, symptom management of ALS, and spinal muscular atrophy classification. Mechanisms of ALS are illustrated, and clinical photographs demonstrate symptoms. This chapter contains 252 references. 

scholarly journals Motor Neuron Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Need for More Population-Based Studies

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Quansah ◽  
Thomas K. Karikari
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases ◽  
African Populations ◽  
Sub Saharan

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are devastating neurological diseases that are characterised by gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons. Major types of MNDs include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). These diseases are incurable, with limited disease-modifying treatment options. In order to improve MND-based biomedical research, drug development, and clinical care, population-based studies will be important. These studies, especially among less-studied populations, might identify novel factors controlling disease susceptibility and resistance. To evaluate progress in MND research in Africa, we examined the published literature on MNDs in Sub-Saharan Africa to identify disease prevalence, genetic factors, and other risk factors. Our findings indicate that the amount of research evidence on MNDs in Sub-Saharan Africa is scanty; molecular and genetics-based studies are particularly lacking. While only a few genetic studies were identified, these studies strongly suggest that there appear to be population-specific causes of MNDs among Africans. MND genetic underpinnings vary among different African populations and also between African and non-African populations. Further studies, especially molecular, genetic and genomic studies, will be required to advance our understanding of MND biology among African populations. Insights from these studies would help to improve the timeliness and accuracy of clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Motor Neuron Diseases

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ratti ◽  
Merit E. Cudkowicz ◽  
James D Berry
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Experimental Therapy ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases ◽  
Efficacy Outcome ◽  
Single Disease Entity

The motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a family of diseases commonly categorized by their propensity to affect upper or lower motor neurons and by their mode of inheritance. The chapter provides some content on infectious MNDs caused by viral infections affecting the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. However, the chapter devotes most of its attention to the inherited and sporadically occurring MNDs. The majority of research into adult MND focuses on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to its high prevalence, rapid progression, and phenotypical similarities between its inherited form and its sporadic form. As our knowledge of genetic mechanisms underlying ALS pathology has grown, common themes have emerged. These include abnormalities in RNA biology, axonal transport, protein folding, and inflammatory responses. These themes currently drive much of the direction in ALS experimental therapy development. It is clear that MND is complex and involves several different molecular pathways. Given this complexity, ALS might not be a single disease entity, and if this is the case, treatment approaches may need to be targeted to specific pathologies rather than all ALS patients on a broad scale. Chapter content is enhanced by tables outlining the types of MNDs, criteria for supporting a diagnosis, first-line workup, the genes associated with ALS, ALS efficacy outcome measures, symptom management of ALS, and spinal muscular atrophy classification. Mechanisms of ALS are illustrated, and clinical photographs demonstrate symptoms. This chapter contains 252 references. 

Motor Neuron Diseases

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Ratti ◽  
Merit E. Cudkowicz ◽  
James D Berry
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Experimental Therapy ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases ◽  
Efficacy Outcome ◽  
Single Disease Entity

The motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are a family of diseases commonly categorized by their propensity to affect upper or lower motor neurons and by their mode of inheritance. The chapter provides some content on infectious MNDs caused by viral infections affecting the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord. However, the chapter devotes most of its attention to the inherited and sporadically occurring MNDs. The majority of research into adult MND focuses on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to its high prevalence, rapid progression, and phenotypical similarities between its inherited form and its sporadic form. As our knowledge of genetic mechanisms underlying ALS pathology has grown, common themes have emerged. These include abnormalities in RNA biology, axonal transport, protein folding, and inflammatory responses. These themes currently drive much of the direction in ALS experimental therapy development. It is clear that MND is complex and involves several different molecular pathways. Given this complexity, ALS might not be a single disease entity, and if this is the case, treatment approaches may need to be targeted to specific pathologies rather than all ALS patients on a broad scale. Chapter content is enhanced by tables outlining the types of MNDs, criteria for supporting a diagnosis, first-line workup, the genes associated with ALS, ALS efficacy outcome measures, symptom management of ALS, and spinal muscular atrophy classification. Mechanisms of ALS are illustrated, and clinical photographs demonstrate symptoms. This chapter contains 252 references. 

scholarly journals CIM Journal Club: Gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy Comment on Mendell et al. N Engl J Med 2017;377:1713-22.

2018 ◽  
pp. E31-E33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Journal Club ◽  
Dna Encoding ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases ◽  
Motor Neuron Protein ◽  
Survival Of Motor Neuron

In their landmark paper, Mendell et al. show that infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) reached important motor milestones and survived longer when treated with AVXS-101 (AveXis), a viral vector containing DNA encoding the survival of motor neuron protein (SMN). Patients not only crawled, stood and walked independently, but learned to speak. These results are very encouraging for patients with SMA and offer hope for pediatric and adult patients with other types of motor neuron diseases.

scholarly journals Hereditary Canine Spinal Muscular Atrophy: An Animal Model of Motor Neuron Disease

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (S3) ◽  
pp. 432-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda C. Cork
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neuron Disease ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Autosomal Dominant ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Canine Model ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases ◽  
Human Motor

ABSTRACT:Motor neuron diseases selectively produce degeneration and death of motor neurons; the pathogenesis of these disorders and the specificity for this population of neurons are unknown. Hereditary Canine Spinal Muscular Atrophy produces a lower motor neuron disease which is clinically and pathologically similar to human motor neuron disease: motor neurons dysfunction and degenerate. The canine model provides an opportunity to investigate early stages of disease when there are viable motor neurons still present and might be responsive to a variety of therapeutic interventions. The canine disease, like the human disease, is inherited as an autosomal dominant. The extensive canine pedigree of more than 200 characterized individuals permits genetic analysis using syntenic linkage techniques which may identify a marker for the canine trait and provide insights into homologous regions for study in human kindreds.

Types of Motor Neuron Diseases

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimish Thakore ◽  
Erik P Pioro
Keyword(s):  
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neuron Disease ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Upper Motor Neurons ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Disorders of lower motor neurons (LMNs, or anterior horn cells) and upper motor neurons (UMNs), jointly termed motor neuron disorders (MNDs), are diverse and numerous. The prototypical MND, namely amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a relentlessly progressive lethal disorder of adults, is the subject of another section and will not be discussed further here. Other MNDs include spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), of which there are four types: Kennedy’s disease, Brown-Violetto-Van Laere, and Fazio-Londe syndromes, lower motor neuron disorders as part of neurodegenerations and secondary motor neuron disease as part of malignancy, radiation and infection.

scholarly journals Revisiting the role of mitochondria in spinal muscular atrophy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel James ◽  
Helena Chaytow ◽  
Leire M. Ledahawsky ◽  
Thomas H. Gillingwater
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Survival Motor Neuron ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Motor Neuron Diseases

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease of variable clinical severity that is caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. Despite its name, SMN is a ubiquitous protein that functions within and outside the nervous system and has multiple cellular roles in transcription, translation, and proteostatic mechanisms. Encouragingly, several SMN-directed therapies have recently reached the clinic, albeit this has highlighted the increasing need to develop combinatorial therapies for SMA to achieve full clinical efficacy. As a subcellular site of dysfunction in SMA, mitochondria represents a relevant target for a combinatorial therapy. Accordingly, we will discuss our current understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction in SMA, highlighting mitochondrial-based pathways that offer further mechanistic insights into the involvement of mitochondria in SMA. This may ultimately facilitate translational development of targeted mitochondrial therapies for SMA. Due to clinical and mechanistic overlaps, such strategies may also benefit other motor neuron diseases and related neurodegenerative disorders.

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