Local sites of low accommodation of peripheral motor axons and the pathogenesis of fasciculation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

There is no generalized disturbance of accommodation of peripheral motor axons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Local sites of reduced accommodation are found proximally and distally with apparent correlation to spontaneous fasciculation. The possible mechanism of fasciculation provoked by acetylcholine is discussed and it is suggested that the local sites of low accommodation represent nodal sprouts with growth cones in extra-muscular as well as intra-muscular parts of peripheral motor axons.