Topic
Motor neuron
About: Motor neuron is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 7759 publications have been published within this topic receiving 392117 citations. The topic is also known as: motoneuron & efferent neuron.
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TL;DR: Along with errors in the handling of synaptic glutamate and the potential excitotoxic response this provokes, model systems highlight the involvement of nonneuronal cells in disease progression and provide new therapeutic strategies.
Abstract: Although Charcot described amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) more than 130 years ago, the mechanism underlying the characteristic selective degeneration and death of motor neurons in this common adult motor neuron disease has remained a mystery. There is no effective remedy for this progressive, fatal disorder. Modern genetics has now identified mutations in one gene [Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1)] as a primary cause and implicated others [encoding neurofilaments, cytoplasmic dynein and its processivity factor dynactin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] as contributors to, or causes of, motor neuron diseases. These insights have enabled development of model systems to test hypotheses of disease mechanism and potential therapies. Along with errors in the handling of synaptic glutamate and the potential excitotoxic response this provokes, these model systems highlight the involvement of nonneuronal cells in disease progression and provide new therapeutic strategies.
1,367 citations
01 Jan 2013
TL;DR: This Seminar summarises current concepts about the origin of the disease, what predisposes patients to develop the disorder, and why all cases of ALS are not the same.
Abstract: Background: Components of the innate immune complement system have been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); however, a comprehensive examination of complement expression in this disease has not been performed. This study therefore aimed to determine the expression of complement components (C1qB, C4, factor B, C3/C3b, C5 and CD88) and regulators (CD55 and CD59a) in the lumbar spinal cord of hSOD1 G93A mice during defined disease stages. Methods: hSOD1 G93A and wild-type mice were examined at four different ages of disease progression. mRNA and protein expression of complement components and regulators were examined using quantitative PCR, western blotting and ELISA. Localisation of complement components within lumbar spinal cord was investigated using immunohistochemistry. Statistical differences between hSOD1 G93A and wild-type mice were analysed using a two-tailed t-test at each stage of disease progression. Results: We found several early complement factors increased as disease progressed, whilst complement regulators decreased; suggesting overall increased complement activation through the classical or alternative pathways in hSOD1 G93A mice. CD88 was also increased during disease progression, with immunolocalisation demonstrating expression on motor neurons and increasing expression on microglia surrounding the regions of motor neuron death. Conclusions: These results indicate that local complement activation and increased expression of CD88 may contribute to motor neuron death and ALS pathology in the hSOD1 G93A mouse. Hence, reducing complement-induced
1,343 citations
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TL;DR: It is reported here that even low levels of another mutant, G85R, cause motor neuron disease characterized by an extremely rapid clinical progression, without changes in SOD1 activity.
1,343 citations
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Richard S. Finkel1, Eugenio Mercuri2, Basil T. Darras3, Anne M. Connolly4 +394 more•Institutions (13)
TL;DR: Those who received nusinersen were more likely to be alive and have improvements in motor function than those in the control group and infants with a shorter disease duration at screening wereMore likely than those with a longer disease duration to benefit from nusineren.
Abstract: BackgroundSpinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder that is caused by an insufficient level of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonu...
1,342 citations
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TL;DR: The creation and characterization of mice completely deficient for SOD1 indicate that Cu/Zn SOD is not necessary for normal motor neuron development and function but is required under physiologically stressful conditions following injury.
Abstract: The discovery that some cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) are associated with mutations in the gene encoding Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) has focused much attention on the function of SOD1 as related to motor neuron survival. Here we describe the creation and characterization of mice completely deficient for this enzyme. These animals develop normally and show no overt motor deficits by 6 months in age. Histological examination of the spinal cord reveals no signs of pathology in animals 4 months in age. However Cu/Zn SOD-deficient mice exhibit marked vulnerability to motor neuron loss after axonal injury. These results indicate that Cu/Zn SOD is not necessary for normal motor neuron development and function but is required under physiologically stressful conditions following injury.
1,305 citations