title: New insights in motor neuron disease.
abstract: In motor neuron disease there is a characteristic pattern of nerve cell loss and degeneration of related pathways. In surviving anterior horn cells several morphologically distinct, but generally non-specific, intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies have been recognized. Recently accumulations of previously unrecognized ubiquitinated material have been described in surviving neurons, which cannot be demonstrated with routine histological methods. These changes appear unique to this disease, and provide a new insight into the underlying pathology that may help understand the pathogenesis of this intriguing disorder. In this article we review the new information on the clinical, toxicological and pathological features of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morbid Anatomy, London Hospital, Whitechapel.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swash
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D014452:Ubiquitins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014452:Ubiquitins