Journal of Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery

Use of 10,000-Fold Effect by a Nitric Oxide Donor (Sodium Nitroprusside) in Motor Neuron Disease via Intrathecal Super Fusion

Abstract

Vinod Kumar Tewari* , Abhishek Gupta, Devesh Johari and Lori Tewari

Motor Neuron Disease (MND) or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a slow fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective and gradual motor neuronal death with unknown aetiology. The insufficient clearance of glutamate through the glutamate transporter, and the specific distribution of Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors in spinal motor neurons, indicates that glutamate-induced neurotoxicity is involved in its pathogenesis. NO is generated by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) which acts via 10000-fold effect to reverse the neuronal death. NO is destructive within 5 to 7 days as noted in earlier study by various authors. We have used intrathecal sodium nitroprusside to activate the 10000-fold effect to modulate the retrograde neuroregulation in MND.