MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present paper examines the brains and spinal cords in 7 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receiving artificial respirator support in a totally locked-in state (TLS) neuropathologically in order to clarify whether any anatomical structures in the central nervous system are preserved. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We found that the visual and olfactory pathways, hypothalamus, nucleus basalis of Meynert, and commissura anterior were remarkably well preserved, whereas the somatosensory, auditory, and gustatory pathways in the brain stem and/or spinal cord showed severe deterioration.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present paper examines the brains and spinal cords in 7 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receiving artificial respirator support in a totally locked-in state (TLS) neuropathologically in order to clarify whether any anatomical structures in the central nervous system are preserved. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We found that the visual and olfactory pathways, hypothalamus, nucleus basalis of Meynert, and commissura anterior were remarkably well preserved, whereas the somatosensory, auditory, and gustatory pathways in the brain stem and/or spinal cord showed severe deterioration.