RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Spinal internuncial neurones in progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity.
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 773
OP 785
DO 10.1136/jnnp.42.9.773
VO 42
IS 9
A1 D A Howell
A1 A J Lees
A1 P J Toghill
YR 1979
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/42/9/773.abstract
AB The clinical and pathological features of a fourth patient with progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity are reported and compared with those previously described. It is suggested that the muscular rigidity, abnormal postures, painful muscular spasms, and myoclonus are a product of excessive and abnormal discharges of alpha motor neurones caused by their release from control by spinal internuncial neurones. A count of neuronal perikarya in the ventral horns confirmed that the disease selectively destroyed small and medium sized neurones, most of which were spinal internuncial neurones. Experimental, clinical, and pathological evidence concerning spinal internuncial neurones is reviewed and found to conform to this theory. The pathogenesis of opsoclonus may be similar.