Neuromuscular Transmission in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder involving motor neurons of the motor cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. Its pathogenesis remains unknown, and the only drug currently available, riluzole, only modestly prolongs survival. Consistent data show that neuromuscular transmission is impaired in patients with ALS. The significance of these abnormalities remains unknown, but recent data suggest that they potentially play a key role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) dysfunction may appear very early in the disease, as shown by data in animal models. The mechanisms of this neuromuscular transmission impairment are unknown. Nogo A belonging to the family of neurite outgrowth inhibitor proteins which is abnormally expressed in skeletal muscle of ALS patients, is probably involved as it has been shown that over-expression of Nogo A in wild-type muscle leads to destabilization of NMJs. A detailed study of the structure and function of the NMJ in ALS patient is mandatory to better characterize the pathophysiological mechanisms implicated.

The aim of this study is to characterize the neuromuscular transmission dysfunction in ALS. For this purpose, we will study the structural and functional features of NMJs on muscle biopsies in a group of 20 ALS patients compared to 10 controls. Using biopsies of a vestigial muscle, the anconeus, we will perform a morphological study of the NMJ, including routine histochemistry, immunohistochemical studies for NMJ major proteins and immune IgG complexes and electron microscopy study. The number of acetylcholine receptors per endplate will be determined by radiolabeled alpha-bungarotoxin binding. Expression levels of Nogo-A will be determined in muscle specimens by western blot. Synaptic transmission at individual NMJs will also be studied ex vivo. We will record membrane potential over time using different nerve stimulation frequencies and we will analyze the properties of the miniature endplate potentials (spontaneous release of acetylcholine) and endplate potentials after stimulation of the nerve (evoked release of acetylcholine). The results of this structural and functional study of NMJ on muscle biopsy will be correlated with surface-EMG and clinical data.

This study will help identifying new mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of ALS and potential new targets for future treatments.