Neuromuscular Disorders Summary Neuromuscular disorders affect the nerves that control your voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. Your nerve cells, also called neurons, send the messages that control these muscles. When the neurons become unhealthy or die, communication between your nervous system and muscles breaks down. As a result, your muscles weaken and waste away. The weakness can lead to twitching, cramps, aches and pains, and joint and movement problems. Sometimes it also affects heart function and your ability to breathe. Examples of neuromuscular disorders include Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Multiple sclerosis Myasthenia gravis Spinal muscular atrophy Many neuromuscular diseases are genetic, which means they run in families or there is a mutation in your genes. Sometimes, an immune system disorder can cause them. Most of them have no cure. The goal of treatment is to improve symptoms, increase mobility and lengthen life. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Array Apraxia Hand or foot spasms Muscle atrophy Muscle function loss Muscle twitching Myotonia congenita Nerve conduction Spasticity Specifics Apraxia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Congenital Myasthenia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Congenital Myopathy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Hypertonia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Isaac’s Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Kearns-Sayre Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Mitochondrial Myopathies Muscular Dystrophy Association Mitochondrial Myopathy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Monomelic Amyotrophy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Motor Neuron Diseases National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Motor Neuron Diseases National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Myotonia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Myotonia Congenita National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Opsoclonus Myoclonus National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Piriformis Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Primary Lateral Sclerosis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Spasticity National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Stiff-Person Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Thyrotoxic Myopathy National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Troyer Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Muscle Spasticity National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Neuromuscular Diseases National Institutes of Health Related Issues Dressing with Ease, Style and Comfort ALS Association Preparing for Emergencies: A Checklist for People with Neuromuscular Diseases Muscular Dystrophy Association Diagnosis and Tests Electromyography (EMG) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Children EMG (Electromyography) (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Learning to Live with Neuromuscular Disease: A Message for Parents Muscular Dystrophy Association Living With Exercising with a Muscle Disease Muscular Dystrophy Association Find an Expert Find a Neurologist American Academy of Neurology National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Genetics Genetics and Neuromuscular Diseases Muscular Dystrophy Association Genetics Home Reference: ataxia with vitamin E deficiency National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Christianson syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: congenital myasthenic syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: distal hereditary motor neuropathy, type II National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: hereditary hyperekplexia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: L1 syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: multiple pterygium syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: riboflavin transporter deficiency neuronopathy National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Schwartz-Jampel syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Silver syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spastic paraplegia type 11 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spastic paraplegia type 15 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spastic paraplegia type 2 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spastic paraplegia type 31 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spastic paraplegia type 3A National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spastic paraplegia type 4 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spastic paraplegia type 7 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: spastic paraplegia type 8 National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Troyer syndrome National Library of Medicine Encyclopedia Lambert-Eaton Syndrome Start Here Learn About Neuromuscular Disease Muscular Dystrophy Association Women Pregnancy and Childbirth with Neuromuscular Disease Muscular Dystrophy Association Journal Articles Neuromuscular Disorders Treatments and Therapies Use of Botulinum Neurotoxin Injections to Treat Spasticity American Academy of Neurology
