Work

The deltoid muscle and the pattern of paresis in ALS

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: There is neuroanatomical and clinical evidence that the corticospinal tract governs the patterns of pareses in sporadic ALS. These patterns are mirrored by phylogenetically young monosynaptic corticomotor neuronal connections. It is well known that, clinically, dysfunction of the deltoid muscle contributes considerably to the early disability of the ALS patient. In this study, we prospectively compared the degree of pareses of the deltoid muscle with the triceps and biceps brachii in N = 71 patients (426 muscles). We could show that the extent of involvement of the deltoid muscle early in the disease process resembles that of the biceps rather than the triceps brachii. This pattern is consistent with functional data of the corticospinal monosynaptic connectivity of all three muscles.

Source: Journal of Neurology

DOI: 10.1007/s00415-025-12949-w

Authors: Albert Ludolph, Veronika Klose, Jens Dreyhaupt, Kelly Del Tredici, Heiko Braak

Institutions: Universität Ulm, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Language: English

Topic: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,790