Clues that a peripheral nervous system disorder may be the cause of generalized weakness include the following: Patterns of generalized weakness that suggest a specific cause (eg, predominant ptosis and diplopia, which suggest early myasthenia gravis) Symptoms and signs other than weakness that suggest a specific disorder or group of disorders (eg, cholinergic effects, which suggest organophosphate poisoning) Deficits in a stocking-glove distribution, which suggest diffuse axonal disorders or polyneuropathy Fasciculations Hypotonia Muscle wasting without hyperreflexia Weakness that is progressive, chronic, and unexplained Clues that the cause may not be a peripheral nervous system disorder include Hyperreflexia Hypertonia These deficits suggest an upper motor neuron disorder as the cause of weakness.