Motor Neuron Disease, An Issue of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics

Half a century ago Lou Gehrig was given his diagnosis:: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It remains a devastating terminal disease. However, considerable effort has been made in the last decade by some of the premier neurologists, physiatrists, and neuroscientists in the world to elucidate a greater understanding of pathogenic mechanisms, to characterize the disease clinically, and to find greater ways to ease suffering for these patients. In this issue of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, we have brought together some of the worlds leading authorities on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other motor neuron diseases to emphasize this ongoing research and to explain what the future holds in regard to our further understanding of these diseases.