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An augmented computer model of motor unit reorganization in neurogenic diseases of skeletal muscle
Author(s) -
Lester James M.,
Soule Norman W.,
Bradley Walter G.,
Brenner John F.
Publication year - 1993
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.880160109
Subject(s) - reinnervation , motor unit , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , denervation , medicine , neuroscience , physical medicine and rehabilitation , muscular dystrophy , disease , psychology , anatomy , pathology
A computer model of denervation and complete reinnervation in skeletal muscle was originally developed for the purpose of furthering an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of motor unit reorganization in neurogenic diseases. We now describe its successor, a computer model for investigating different rates of denervation and reinnervation, as well as incomplete reinnervation. The new model introduces the concept of permanent denervation and features enhanced interactive control over the distribution of motor unit centers and additional measures of dispersion and co‐dispersion of muscle fibers. The use of this model for investigating pathophysiologically significant issues in denervating diseases is illustrated pathophysiologically significant issues in denervating diseases is illustrated with five different sets of parameters. These simulate some of the processes that may be operational in chronic spinal muscular atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and progressive postpolio muscular dystrophy. The enhanced model will allow in‐depth analysis of the influence of hypothesized pathophysiological processes on clinical, electrophysiological and pathological outcomes in human disease. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.