Computational Intelligence in Analysis of Electromyography Signals - Computational Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering - page 227

Frontalis muscle

Temporal
branch

Obicularis oculi
muscle

Nasalis muscle

Zygomatic
branch

Levator labii
superioris muscle

Zygomaticus minor
and major muscle

Buccal
branch

Orbicularis oris
muscle

Mentalis muscle

Depressor anguli
oris muscle

Cervical
branch

Mandibular
branch

FIGURE 5.15
The facial nerve and its major branches are depicted innervating some
of the major face muscles. (Reprinted with permission from Preston, D.
and Shapiro, B., Electromyography and Neuromuscular Disorders: Clinical-
Electrophysiologic Correlations , Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA, 2005.)

to scarring of the nerves in the lateral spinal column due to nerve death.
ALS unfortunately possesses a uniformly poor prognosis, being fatal in all
cases, with death on average of 3 years after onset with approximately 10% of
patients surviving longer. The diseases usually affect those above 55 years of
age but is sometimes also found in younger children. Several ALS variants have
been identified including progressive bulbar palsy, progressive muscular atro-
phy, and primary lateral sclerosis. Both upper and lower motor neurons are
affected whereas the sensory and autonomic functions are spared. Symptoms
include muscle atrophy, cramps, spreading weakness, slowness in movements,
and spasticity. Death usually results from respiratory failure as the nerves
controlling the respiratory process die and respiratory control is lost whereas
other complications include pulmonary embolus, sepsis, and pneumonia. At
this point in time, the exact etiology for ALS is still unknown but several
unproven speculations ranging from genetics, viral infections to toxic poison-
ing have been suggested.
Another group of MNDs, less common and less fatal is the atypical MNDs.
These diseases have similar symptoms to ALS but can be differentiated using