Abstract
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) represent a group of neurological diseases characterized by progressive deterioration of the motor neurons in the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and wasting. Genetic MND may be caused by mutations in genes that are widely expressed. Although our understanding of the pathophysiology has increased substantially over the years, the selective vulnerability of motor neurons in this context remains unexplained. In addition to genetic MND, sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is the most common and devastating motor neuron disorder in adults, with rapid progression leading to a severely impaired life and early death.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Quijano-Roy, S., Avila-Smirnow, D., Carlier, RY., Wattjes, M.P., Fischer, D. (2013). Motor Neuron Diseases. In: Wattjes, M., Fischer, D. (eds) Neuromuscular Imaging. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6552-2_29
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6552-2_29
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6551-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6552-2
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)