Upper Motor Neurone Syndrome

Question 1

Define Upper Motor Neurone Syndrome (UMNS)

Answer 1

a disruption of supraspinal control (from the brain) of the long descending pathways that modulate (have excitatory or inhibitory influences) on the spinal cord

Question 2

Where at what anatomical location does the lower motor neurone syndrome begin in the body?

Answer 2

Everything below the alpha motor neurone

Question 3

Where at what anatomical location does the upper motor neurone syndrome begin in the body?

Answer 3

Above the alpha motor neurone

Question 4

What neurological conditions cause UMNS symptoms?

Answer 4

Stroke, MS, Spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury

Question 5

Name the 3 categories of damage that occurs in UMNS and where this damage occurs

Answer 5

Positive, negative and adaptive features

In the long descending motor tracts

Question 6

Which long descending motor pathway does UMNS affect?

Answer 6

The corticospinal (pyramidal) tract
Damage to the (direct) corticospinal tract can have an influence on the indirect fibres

Question 7

What will a stroke in the cerebellum cause?

Answer 7

It will not cause a loss a movement. It will cause an alteration in the coordination of the movement