This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Recent Advances in Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Trials

Hiroshi Mitsumoto, MD; Maurice R. Hanson, MD; David A. Chad, MD, FRCP(C)

Arch Neurol. 1988;45(2):189-202.

Abstract
• We reviewed the current status of pathogenesis and therapeutic trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Clinical studies have identified several rare but definable causes for apparent ALS. Certain clinical features previously considered unlikely to occur in ALS are found on careful examination. Epidemiologic surveillance and recent studies of neurotoxic plant seeds used in Guam have shed light on the pathogenesis of endemic ALS. Extensive analyses of biochemical, metabolic, immunologic, viral, and toxic factors have provided provocative results requiring further studies. Reflecting on some of these hypotheses, therapeutic trials have been performed more vigorously than ever. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is now investigated at the molecular genetic level. Human autopsy and experimental animal studies have expanded our understanding of basic mechanisms involving motoneuronal degeneration. In the future, we must continue a relentless search for the pathogenesis of ALS, prospective clinical studies to define the limits of ALS, and well-designed, controlled therapeutic trials.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Drs Mitsumoto and Hanson), and the Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester (Dr Chad).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 6, 1987.

Reprint requests to Neuromuscular Program, Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44106 (Dr Mitsumoto).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

A Clustering of Conjugal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Southeastern France
Corcia et al.
Arch Neurol 2003;60:553-557.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Factors correlated with hypermetabolism in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Desport et al.
Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2001;74:328-334.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hospice care
Enck
AM J HOSP PALLIAT CARE 1990;7:9-11.
 

Neurons in Onuf's Nucleus
Swift
Arch Neurol 1989;46:606-606.
ABSTRACT  

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Brownell
Arch Neurol 1989;46:480-480.
ABSTRACT  

The Molecular Genetic Revolution: Its Impact on Clinical Neurology
Payne and Roses
Arch Neurol 1988;45:1366-1376.
ABSTRACT