Neuromuscular disease can be caused by
autoimmune disorders,[1] genetic/hereditary disorders[2] and some forms of the collagen disorder
Ehlers–Danlos syndrome,[12] exposure to environmental chemicals and poisoning which includes
heavy metal poisoning.[3] The failure of the electrical insulation surrounding nerves, the
myelin, is seen in certain deficiency diseases, such as the failure of the body's system for absorbing
vitamin B-12.[3]
Diagnostic procedures that may reveal muscular disorders include direct clinical observations. This usually starts with the observation of bulk, possible atrophy or loss of muscle tone. Neuromuscular disease can also be diagnosed by various blood tests and using
electrodiagnostic medicine tests[23] including
electromyography[24] (measuring electrical activity in muscles) and
nerve conduction studies.[25]Genetic testing is an important part of diagnosing inherited neuromuscular conditions.[23]
^Lower motor neurons originate in the
anterior horn of the spinal cord, a part of the
central nervous system. However, the anterior horn is also part of the motor unit. Diseases that affect the anterior horn are classified as neuromuscular.
^Katirji, Bashar (2014). "Clinical Assessment in Neuromuscular Disorders". In Katirji, Bashar; Kaminski, Henry J.; Ruff, Robert L. (eds.). Neuromuscular disorders in clinical practice (Second ed.). New York.
ISBN978-1-4614-6567-6.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)
^Voermans, Nicol C; Van Alfen, Nens; Pillen, Sigrid; Lammens, Martin; Schalkwijk, Joost; Zwarts, Machiel J; Van Rooij, Iris A; Hamel, Ben C. J; Van Engelen, Baziel G (2009). "Neuromuscular involvement in various types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome". Annals of Neurology. 65 (6): 687–97.
doi:
10.1002/ana.21643.
PMID19557868.
S2CID22600065.