Diseases characterized by a selective degeneration of the motor neurons of the spinal cord, brainstem, or motor cortex. Clinical subtypes are distinguished by the major site of degeneration. In AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS there is involvement of upper, lower, and brainstem motor neurons. In progressive muscular atrophy and related syndromes (see MUSCULAR ATROPHY, SPINAL) the motor neurons in the spinal cord are primarily affected. With progressive bulbar palsy (BULBAR PALSY, PROGRESSIVE), the initial degeneration occurs in the brainstem. In primary lateral sclerosis, the cortical neurons are affected in isolation. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1089)

Descriptor ID	D016472
MeSH Number(s)	C10.574.562 C10.668.467
Concept/Terms	Motor Neuron Disease Motor Neuron Disease Motor Neuron Diseases Neuron Disease, Motor Neuron Diseases, Motor Motor System Disease Motor System Diseases Familial Motor Neuron Disease Familial Motor Neuron Disease Motor Neuron Disease, Familial Lateral Sclerosis Lateral Sclerosis Lateral Scleroses Scleroses, Lateral Sclerosis, Lateral Primary Lateral Sclerosis Lateral Scleroses, Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Primary Primary Lateral Scleroses Scleroses, Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Primary Lateral Motor Neuron Disease, Upper Motor Neuron Disease, Upper Upper Motor Neuron Disease Motor Neuron Disease, Secondary Motor Neuron Disease, Secondary Secondary Motor Neuron Disease Anterior Horn Cell Disease Anterior Horn Cell Disease Motor Neuron Disease, Lower Motor Neuron Disease, Lower Lower Motor Neuron Disease

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more general than "Motor Neuron Disease".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is related to "Motor Neuron Disease".

Below are MeSH descriptors whose meaning is more specific than "Motor Neuron Disease".