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Motor unit number estimation in the rat tail using a modified multipoint stimulation technique
Author(s) -
Kasselman Lora J.,
Shefner Jeremy M.,
Rutkove Seward B.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.21248
Subject(s) - motor unit , stimulation , hindlimb , medicine , neuroscience , anatomy , biology
Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) of the rodent hindlimb has been used mainly for following the progression of motor neuron disorders. By performing MUNE in the tail, however, progression of axonal neuropathy could also be assessed, as both proximal and distal regions would be available for study. In this investigation, three raters performed a modified multipoint stimulation MUNE technique in the tails of 14 healthy adult rats. The technique was straightforward to perform, with a relatively narrow range of motor unit number estimates of 40 ± 16 (standard deviation) for the proximal tail and 21 ± 11 for the distal tail. Intrarater reliability coefficients were 0.31 ( P = 0.033) and 0.32 ( P = 0.028) for the proximal and distal tail, respectively. Interrater reliability coefficients were 0.22 ( P = 0.086) and 0.44 ( P = 0.004). These reliability assessments, along with the relatively low motor unit estimates and narrow range of values, support the idea that rat tail MUNE may have utility in the evaluation of rodent models of neuromuscular disease, including length‐dependent neuropathy. Muscle Nerve 40: 115–121, 2009