Boudewijn T H M Sleutjes1, Ivan Gligorijević2, Inger Montfoort1, Pieter A van Doorn3, Gerhard H Visser4, Joleen H Blok5. 1. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Department of Electrical Engineering, SCD-SISTA, KU Leuven, Belgium. 3. Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, SEIN Heemstede, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Clinical Physics, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: 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.
INTRODUCTION: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.
Authors: James A Bashford; Aidan Wickham; Raquel Iniesta; Emmanuel M Drakakis; Martyn G Boutelle; Kerry R Mills; Chris E Shaw Journal: Brain Commun Date: 2020-02-20