[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Physiopathology and experimental models. Chemical neuroanatomy of the human spinal cord: applications to pathologic cases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the advantages of the chemo-morphological approach in the study of pathological material. On one hand, the analysis of selected pathological cases (amputations, spinal transections) is able to provide invaluable information concerning the cells of origin of certain spinal transmitters in the human being. On the other hand, chemical neuropathology allows a more precise identification of the neuronal nets or types that are involved in a disease process. This advantage is underlined by studies performed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this condition, certain modifications, such as the reductions of acetylcholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase, cholinergic muscarinic, glycine or TRH receptors, are probably a consequence of motoneuron degeneration. In contradistinction, other findings, such as specific metabolic changes of motoneurons or early disappearance of SP-containing fibers in lamina IX, might be relevant for the pathogenesis of the disease.
Schoenen
J
J
Service de Neurologie, Université de Liège, Belgique.
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology*
Sclérose latérale amyotrophique. Physiopathologie et modèles expérimentaux. Neuroanatomie chimique de la moelle épinière humaine: applications à des cas pathologiques dont la sclérose latérale amyotrophique.