Progressive muscular atrophy is an inherited form of motor neuron disease. It affects the lower motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord. It is also a progressive disease that causes muscles to atrophy over time.

Symptoms

The symptoms of progressive muscular atrophy include the following:

• Weakness in the hands that spreads into the lower body
• Muscle wasting
• Twitching and muscle cramps

This condition largely affects men and begins earlier in life than other motor neuron disorders.