Vulpian-Bernhardt Muscular Atrophy

Vulpian-Bernhardt muscular atrophy is a progressive neural amyotrophy of the upper limbs, described by the French physiologist and neurologist Vulpian in 1886 and the German neurologist Bernhardt in 1891.

Main signs of the disease:

1. The proximal muscles of the upper extremities are affected, and less commonly, the muscles of the legs.

2. Muscle atrophy begins in the distal parts of the upper limbs and gradually spreads proximally.

3. The strength of the muscles of the hands and feet is maintained.

4. There are no sensory disturbances.

5. Reflexes from the limbs are alive.

6. The course is slowly progressive.

7. The cause of the disease is unknown; primary damage to the anterior horns of the spinal cord is assumed.

Vulpian-Bernhardt muscular atrophy differs from Werdnig-Hoffmann spinal amyotrophy in that it affects predominantly the upper extremities and has a slower course. Treatment is symptomatic.

Vulpian-Bernhard was founded by the French neurologist Alexandre Vulpian and the German neuropathologist Maximilian Bernhard in the 19th century. This brain disorder belongs to a group of acquired speech disorders that include epilepsy, dysarthria and aphasia. The so-called Vulpi-Behrend syndrome develops slowly and gradually with gradual deterioration