Anterior horn disease

Overview

The anterior horn of the spinal cord (or anterior cornu, or anterior column, or ventral horn) is the ventral (front) grey matter section of the spinal cord. The anterior horn contains motor neurons that affect the axial muscles while the posterior horn receives information regarding touch and sensation. The anterior horn is where the cell bodies of alpha motorneurons are located.

Symptoms

Anterior horn disease presents symptoms associated with the lower and upper motor neurone degeneration, such as brisk reflexes, spasticity, Babinski sign (for lower motor neurone), weakness and muscle atrophy (for upper motor neurone). Note that all muscle groups in the human body require both lower and upper motor neurones in order to function. These signs could occur in various muscle groups, including the torso, legs, arms and the bulbar region. Symptoms of Anterior horn disease usually appear in ages of 50 to 70.

Symptoms include muscle wasting, progressive weakness, muscle fasciculations, arms and legs spasticity, stiffness and overactive reflexes of tendons. Other patients experience serious symptoms such as slurred speech, dragging foot or unilateral muscle wasting of the hands.

Causes

Anterior horn disease has no known cause. However, genetic factors are important in determining a person's vulnerability to this disease.

Treatment

There is no cure for Anterior horn disease.