Motor Neuron Disease: The Clinical Syndrome

The nomenclature of disorders of anterior horn cells is confused. This confusion reflects ignorance of the underlying causes of these syndromes; indeed, the current terminology is based on clinical or pathological descriptions of the syndromes themselves, rather than basic mechanisms. Rowland (1982, 1988) has pointed out the importance of distinguishing between motor neuron diseases and motor neuron disease in discussions of anterior horn cell disorders. The confusion in terminology can be resolved by appreciation of the historical development of the concept of anterior horn cell disease as a cause of muscle wasting.