LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF 121 PATIENTS WITH BENIGN FASCICULATIONS

Using the case records of Mayo Clinic patients, 121 patients with a di agnosis of benign fasciculations were identified. All had a normal neu rological examination and normal electrophysiological studies, except for fasciculation potentials. Interviews by telephone were conducted 2 to 32 years after diagnosis. None of the patients developed symptomat ic motor neuron disease. Forty individuals were in health care careers . A subset of 19 patients described acute onset of fasciculations foll owing a viral infection. Benign fasciculations are not a prelude to pr ogressive motor neuron disease.