Observations on the clinical assessment of patients with motor neuron disease. Experience with a TRH analogue.

The need for improved assessment techniques in order to monitor the action of substances active in upper and lower motor neuron systems in motor neuron disease is discussed. A long-acting TRH analogue is shown to have detectable acute effects on bulbar symptoms, particularly speech, tone, fasciculations, and muscle force. Endocrine surveillance is essential in studies with TRH and analogues.