Clinical Aspects of UMN LMN

Clinical Aspects of Upper and Lower Motor
Neuron Lesions
Dr Tai Keen Sang

MBBS, FRCP
IMU Clinical Campus, Seremban
Clinical Aspects of Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) and
Lower Motor Neuron (LMN) Lesions
Outcomes:
 To be able to define and differentiate UMN and LMN lesions.
 To be able to state the presentations of UMN and LMN lesions.
 To develop an approach in evaluating a patient presenting with limb weakness
and recognize UMN and LMN lesions.
 To list common diseases presenting with UMN and LMN lesions.
Definitions
Upper motor neurons:
The motor neurons that run from the motor cortex of the brain to the spinal
cord. They run in the corticospinal (pyramidal) tracts.
Lower motor neurons:

The neurons that run from the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord to the
peripheral nerves terminating at the motor end plates.
Lesion:
An injury or damage to an organ or tissue due to a disease process or trauma.
Upper Motor Neurons
Motor Cortex
↓
Internal Capsule
↓
Brainstem
↓
Spinal Cord
Voluntary control of muscle functions on the

contralateral side of the body
Functions of the Corticospinal (Pyramidal) Tracts
Voluntary control of the skeletal muscles

of the contralateral side of the body.
Note: these movements are modulated

by input from the cerebellar and
extrapyramidal systems with respect to
tone, balance, posture, movement.
Basal Ganglia Cerebellum
Lower Motor Neurons
Anterior Horn Cells of Spinal
Cord
↓
Nerve Roots
↓
Nerve Plexi
↓
Peripheral Nerves
Clinical Aspects of Upper Motor Neuron Lesions
Features of Upper Motor Neuron lesions:
 Weakness*
 Hypertonia** (“clasp-knife” type, sustained clonus)
 Exaggerated deep tendon reflexes (hyperreflexia)
 Extensor plantar reflexes (positive Babinski’s sign)
 Absent abdominal reflexes
 No muscle atrophy***
*paresis (usually not total paralysis)

** early stage may be initially hypotonic
***disuse atrophy may occur
Pattern of Weakness in Upper Motor
Neuron Lesions
The “pyramidal distribution” of weakness.

Upper limbs:
Flexors stronger than extensors.
The “anti-gravity muscles” weaker – shoulder
abduction, elbow, wrist and finger extension.
Lower limbs:
Extensors stronger than flexors.
Hip and knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion and plantar
eversion weaker
Clinical Aspects of Lower Motor Neuron Lesions
Features of Lower Motor Neuron lesions:
 Weakness*
 Hypotonia (flaccidity)
 Hyporeflexia or areflexia
 Fasciculations
 Muscle atrophy
*may be complete paralysis

Approach to the patient with weakness
History: Motor System Examination:
 Onset of weakness – acute or gradual.  Inspection and palpation of muscles.
 Muscle groups affected, unilateral or bilateral.  Assessment of tone.
 Associated symptoms: speech, cranial nerves,  Assessment of movement and power.
bulbar function, sensory system, cerebellar  Assessment of reflexes.
system.
 Comorbidities: Hypertension, diabetes,
coronary and atherosclerotic vascular disease, Relevant Investigations:
medication and social history.
 Laboratory: Full blood count, glucose, lipids
profile, renal profile, etc.
 Imaging: Computerized Tomography (CT) or
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
 Electromyography (EMG).
 Nerve conduction studies (NCS).
Clinical Aspects of Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) and Lower
Motor Neuron (LMN) Lesions
Grading Motor Power: Grading Reflexes:

0 : No muscle contraction visible 0 Absent
1 : Contraction but no movement 1+ Diminished
2 : Movement with gravity eliminated 2+ Normal
3 : Movement against gravity but not 3+ Increased
against resistance 4+ Greatly increased (with clonus)
4: Movement against resistance but
weaker than normal
± present when using reinforcement
5: Normal power manoeuvre
Clinical Aspects of Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) and Lower
Motor Neuron (LMN) Lesions
Investigations:
Brain & Spinal Cord:

 Computerised tomographic scan (CT)
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Nerves:
 Nerve conduction studies (NCS)
 Electromyography (EMG) CT scan image of
brain
Some diseases associated with Upper and Lower Motor Neuron
Lesions
Type of lesions Causes

Upper motor neuron Cerebrovascular Disease (stroke)
Spinal Cord Injuries
Demyelination (multiple sclerosis)
Brain trauma
Motor neurone disease
Lower motor neuron Peripheral neuropathies
Radiculopathies
Anterior horn cell disease
Motor neurone disease
Case History 1
A 66-year-old hypertensive man Investigations:
developed sudden right-sided weakness. Computerized tomographic (CT) brain scan:
Examination findings:
BP 155/95. Pulse 90 / minute regular.
Right lower facial weakness present Cranial CT scan showing
an infarct in the left
Limbs (on right side): internal capsule
Tone: hypertonic
Power: Reduced (graded 4/5)
Deep tendon reflexes: Hyperreflexic (3+)
Extensor plantar response (Positive Babinski)
Summary:
A 66-year-old man with sudden right-sided weakness
Diagnosis:
 Stroke with right-sided hemiparesis.
Summary of upper motor neuron signs on affected side:

 Hypertonia
 Weakness
 Hyperreflexia
 Extensor plantar response (Babinski response)
Face:
 Lower facial weakness (with sparing of the upper half of the face)
Stroke
(Cerebrovascular Accident)
Classification of Strokes:
1. Ischaemic - interruption of the blood supply to a part of the brain.
2. Haemorrhagic – bleeding in the brain from a ruptured blood vessel.
Ischaemic stroke
 About 80% of strokes are ischaemic.

 Due to vascular occlusion and interruption of blood supply to an area of the brain and
results in cerebral infarction.
 May be thrombotic or embolic.
Ischaemic Stroke
Main categories:
 Large vessel disease (carotids, vertebrobasilar, intracerebral) - about 50%
 Intracranial small vessel disease (‘lacunar infarcts’) - about 25 %
 Cardioembolic (emboli originating from the heart) - about 20 %
 Others
Haemorrhagic Stroke
About 20% of strokes are haemorrhagic.
Associations:
 Advancing age
 Hypertension
 Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
 Anticoagulant & thrombolytic therapy
 Coagulopathies
 Haemorrhagic transformation of ischaemic
strokes
 Subarachnoid haemorrhage (aneurysms,
arteriovenous (AV) malformations)
 Others - intracranial neoplasms, vasculitis etc
Case History 2
A 65-year-old man develops progressive weakness of his limbs over the last 1 year.
There is associated cramping and stiffness with difficulty in movements such as picking
up objects and buttoning clothes and he has gait difficulty with tripping and stumbling.
Examination findings:
Wasting and fasciculations in both upper and lower limb muscles.
Muscle power reduced grade 4/5.
Reflexes all brisk 3+
Extensor plantar responses (Babinski response).
Cerebellar and sensory systems: Normal

Case History 2: A 65-year-old man with progressive limb weakness
Both upper and lower motor neuron signs are present.
Type of Lesion Upper Motor Neuron Lower Motor Neuron

Signs Hyperreflexia Wasting
Extensor plantar response Fasciculations
Investigations:
 Brain and cervical cord MRI: Normal findings.
 Nerve conduction studies (NCS): Abnormal motor NCS with reduced motor compound
muscle action potentials. Normal sensory nerve conduction studies.
 Electromyography (EMG): fibrillation and fasciculations potentials present.
Case History 2: A 65-year-old man with limb weakness and both UMN
and LMN lesions
Diagnosis:
Motor Neuron Disease
A progressive degenerative disease of the upper and lower motor neurons that may
affect the cortex, cranial nerve motor nerve nuclei and the spinal cord.
Main presentations of motor neuron disease:

 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: lateral corticospinal tract involved with amyotrophy
(muscle atrophy and wasting).
 Progressive bulbar palsy: lower cranial nerve nuclei affected (dysarthria, dysphagia,
nasal regurgitation, tongue atrophy and fasciculations)
 Progressive muscular atrophy: LMN affected (wasting and fasciculations of
muscles).
 Primary lateral sclerosis: Upper motor neurons affected.
Summary:
Clinical Aspects of Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) and Lower Motor
Neuron (LMN) Lesions
In a patient presenting with weakness, obtain a focused history and perform a

systematic neurological examination.
Together with an understanding of neuroanatomy, UMN and LMN lesions can
be distinguished allowing a clinical diagnosis to be made.
Diagnoses are confirmed with relevant investigations, where indicated, and
appropriate treatment carried out.
End of Lecture
Thank you

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Clinical Aspects of Upper and Lower Motor

Dr Tai Keen Sang

Lower motor neurons:

Voluntary control of muscle functions on the

Voluntary control of the skeletal muscles

Note: these movements are modulated

*paresis (usually not total paralysis)

The “pyramidal distribution” of weakness.

*may be complete paralysis

Grading Motor Power: Grading Reflexes:

Brain & Spinal Cord:

Type of lesions Causes

Summary of upper motor neuron signs on affected side:

 About 80% of strokes are ischaemic.

Cerebellar and sensory systems: Normal

Both upper and lower motor neuron signs are present.

Type of Lesion Upper Motor Neuron Lower Motor Neuron

Main presentations of motor neuron disease:

In a patient presenting with weakness, obtain a focused history and perform a

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