The term „motoneuron disorder“ has been used for a degenerative disease of the motor system. In its etiology, the role is probably played by more factors out of which excitotoxic theory has been nowadays considered as the most significant one. Besides amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, this group also involves progressive bulbar paralysis, progressive muscular atrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, brachial amyotrophic diplegia, and monomelic muscular atrophy. Both clinical and electrophysiological diagnostic criteria have been developed for ALS, they enable the decision for early therapy as well as inclusion in clinical trials. In addition to riluzole treatment, individual symptomatic therapy is needed.

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