[Significance of Nogo-A expression of atrophic muscle fibers in diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

Objective: To investigate significance of Nogo-A in atrophic muscle fibers in diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: Forty cases which were diagnosed definitely by clinical, pathological or DNA analysis were included. All of the cases underwent muscle biopsies in order to carry out Nogo-A immunostaining.

[Different distribution of NMDA receptor subunits in cortex contributes to selective vulnerability of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between different distribution of NMDA receptor subunits and motor neurons selective vulnerability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Methods: First we investigated whether administration of THA, a glutamate transport inhibitor, in cultured organotypic brain tissue made different damage of motor cortex and piriform cortex. Then we testified that selective motor cortex injury was related to disparate distribution of NR2A and NR2B by measuring their protein expression with the method of Western blot.

[Progression rate of MUNE at diagnosis: a prognostic factor of survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

Objective: To identify the correlation between the progression rate of motor unit number estimate (MUNE) at diagnosis and survival.

Methods: We included 129 patents with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) enrolled in our hospital from January 2002 to December 2005. We recorded clinical features, ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS), forced vital capacity (FVC) and electrophysiological data at diagnosis.