Premium
Identifying fasciculation potentials in motor neuron disease: A matter of probability
Author(s) -
Sleutjes Boudewijn T.H.M.,
Gligorijević Ivan,
Montfoort Inger,
van Doorn Pieter A.,
Visser Gerhard H.,
Blok Joleen H.
Publication year - 2016
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.24712
Subject(s) - fasciculation , electromyography , motor neuron , medicine , motor unit , cardiology , audiology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , disease , anesthesia , anatomy
: Fasciculations, the spontaneous activity of single motor units (MUs) are characteristic, but nonspecific for motor neuron disease (MND). We aimed to identify MU discharge properties to optimally differentiate MND patients from healthy controls. Methods : High‐density surface electromyography recordings were performed in the thenar muscles during 10 min of rest. MU discharges were classified as “isolated” when the interspike intervals (ISIs) before and after were > 250 ms, “continual” when both ISIs were ≤ 250 ms, or as “other”. Results : In patients (n = 30) compared with controls (n = 14), more MUs were active (9 vs. 3, P < 0.001) and generated relatively more isolated discharges (35% vs. 10%, P = 0.01). Two or more MUs with isolated discharges occurred more frequently in patients compared with controls (24% vs. <1% of 10‐s windows, P < 0.001). Conclusions : More frequent occurrence of multiple MUs showing isolated discharges may improve identification of patients with MND. Muscle Nerve 53: 227–233, 2016