New insights into the pathophysiology of fasciculations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: An ultrasound study.

Riluzole

A glutamate antagonist (RECEPTORS, GLUTAMATE) used as an anticonvulsant (ANTICONVULSANTS) and to prolong the survival of patients with AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS.

Bulbar Palsy, Progressive

A motor neuron disease marked by progressive weakness of the muscles innervated by cranial nerves of the lower brain stem. Clinical manifestations include dysarthria, dysphagia, facial weakness, tongue weakness, and fasciculations of the tongue and facial muscles. The adult form of the disease is marked initially by bulbar weakness which progresses to involve motor neurons throughout the neuroaxis. Eventually this condition may become indistinguishable from AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS. Fazio-Londe syndrome is an inherited form of this illness which occurs in children and young adults. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1091; Brain 1992 Dec;115(Pt 6):1889-1900)

Superoxide Dismutase-1

A superoxide dismutase (SOD1) that requires copper and zinc ions for its activity to destroy SUPEROXIDE FREE RADICALS within the CYTOPLASM. Mutations in the SOD1 gene are associated with AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS-1.

Motor Neuron Disease

Diseases characterized by a selective degeneration of the motor neurons of the spinal cord, brainstem, or motor cortex. Clinical subtypes are distinguished by the major site of degeneration. In AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS there is involvement of upper, lower, and brainstem motor neurons. In progressive muscular atrophy and related syndromes (see MUSCULAR ATROPHY, SPINAL) the motor neurons in the spinal cord are primarily affected. With progressive bulbar palsy (BULBAR PALSY, PROGRESSIVE), the initial degeneration occurs in the brainstem. In primary lateral sclerosis, the cortical neurons are affected in isolation. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1089)

Ataxin-2

A Poly(A) RNA-binding protein that negatively regulates EGFR ENDOCYTOSIS. An increased risk for developing AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS 13 is observed in patients who have more than 23 CAG repeats in the ATXN2 gene coding sequence. Larger CAG expansions in the ATXN2 gene occur in SPINOCEREBELLAR ATAXIA 2 patients.