The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders
Upper motor neuron (UMN) is a term traditionally used for the corticospinal or pyramidal tract neuron synapsing with the lower motor neuron (LMN) in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. The upper motor neuron controls resting muscle tone and helps initiate voluntary movement of the musculoskeletal...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/8/958 |
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| author | Parvathi Menon Steve Vucic |
| author_facet | Parvathi Menon Steve Vucic |
| author_sort | Parvathi Menon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Upper motor neuron (UMN) is a term traditionally used for the corticospinal or pyramidal tract neuron synapsing with the lower motor neuron (LMN) in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. The upper motor neuron controls resting muscle tone and helps initiate voluntary movement of the musculoskeletal system by pathways which are not completely understood. Dysfunction of the upper motor neuron causes the classical clinical signs of spasticity, weakness, brisk tendon reflexes and extensor plantar response, which are associated with clinically well-recognised, inherited and acquired disorders of the nervous system. Understanding the pathophysiology of motor system dysfunction in neurological disease has helped promote a greater understanding of the motor system and its complex cortical connections. This review will focus on the pathophysiology underlying progressive dysfunction of the UMN in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and three other related adult-onset, progressive neurological disorders with prominent UMN signs, namely, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and primary progressive multiple sclerosis, to help promote better understanding of the human motor system and, by extension, related cortical systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:59:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fe02e4ac9ccc459b9cf6ae1b58c62fdd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:59:00Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-fe02e4ac9ccc459b9cf6ae1b58c62fdd2023-11-22T06:57:58ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252021-07-0111895810.3390/brainsci11080958The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical DisordersParvathi Menon0Steve Vucic1Brain and Nerve Research Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney 2139, AustraliaBrain and Nerve Research Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney 2139, AustraliaUpper motor neuron (UMN) is a term traditionally used for the corticospinal or pyramidal tract neuron synapsing with the lower motor neuron (LMN) in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. The upper motor neuron controls resting muscle tone and helps initiate voluntary movement of the musculoskeletal system by pathways which are not completely understood. Dysfunction of the upper motor neuron causes the classical clinical signs of spasticity, weakness, brisk tendon reflexes and extensor plantar response, which are associated with clinically well-recognised, inherited and acquired disorders of the nervous system. Understanding the pathophysiology of motor system dysfunction in neurological disease has helped promote a greater understanding of the motor system and its complex cortical connections. This review will focus on the pathophysiology underlying progressive dysfunction of the UMN in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and three other related adult-onset, progressive neurological disorders with prominent UMN signs, namely, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and primary progressive multiple sclerosis, to help promote better understanding of the human motor system and, by extension, related cortical systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/8/958upper motor neuronALSPLSHSPPPMS |
| spellingShingle | Parvathi Menon Steve Vucic The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders Brain Sciences upper motor neuron ALS PLS HSP PPMS |
| title | The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders |
| title_full | The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders |
| title_fullStr | The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders |
| title_short | The Upper Motor Neuron—Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders |
| title_sort | upper motor neuron improved knowledge from als and related clinical disorders |
| topic | upper motor neuron ALS PLS HSP PPMS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/8/958 |
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