Motor unit hyperexcitability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis vs amino acids acting as neurotransmitters

• Published in: Acta neurologica Scandinavica Vol. 106; no. 1; pp. 34 - 38
• Main Authors: Kostera-Pruszczyk, A., Niebroj-Dobosz, I., Emeryk-Szajewska, B., Karwańska, A., Rowińska-Marcińska, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.07.2002; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Amino Acids - blood; Amino Acids - cerebrospinal fluid; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - physiopathology; Aspartic Acid - blood; Aspartic Acid - cerebrospinal fluid; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; double discharges; Electromyography; excitatory and inhibitory amino acids; fasciculation potentials; Female; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - blood; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - cerebrospinal fluid; Glutamic Acid - blood; Glutamic Acid - cerebrospinal fluid; Glycine - blood; Glycine - cerebrospinal fluid; Humans; hyperexcitability; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Motor Neurons - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiopathology; Neurology; Neurotransmitter Agents - blood; Neurotransmitter Agents - cerebrospinal fluid; Reference Values; Human; Nervous system diseases; Aminoacid; Central nervous system disease; Electrophysiology; Excitability; Exploration; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Degenerative disease; Spinal cord disease; Motor unit

Objectives– Electrophysiological studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients reveal not only lower motor neuron involvement, but also widespread signs of its hyperexcitability. They might be the consequence of changes in the level of amino acids acting as neurotransmitters. Material and...