RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Preclinical and subclinical events in motor neuron disease. JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 165 OP 168 DO 10.1136/jnnp.51.2.165 VO 51 IS 2 A1 M Swash A1 D Ingram YR 1988 UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/51/2/165.abstract AB It is suggested that in motor neuron disease there is a long preclinical period of relative tolerance and compensation before presentation with apparently focal features. During this phase the disease becomes disseminated through the motor system. The mode of acquisition of the disease, its relation to a possible genetic factor, and the processes leading to tolerance, to latency or progression, to the relative involvement of upper and lower motor neurons, to involvement of spinocerebellar pathways, and to asymmetry are fundamental problems in understanding the disease.