Motor unit size in muscular dystrophy, a macro EMG and scanning EMG study.

Patients with muscular dystrophy were investigated with Macro EMG to study activity from whole individual motor units, and with Scanning EMG to study the distribution of activity within the motor unit. Macro motor unit potentials were normal or only slightly reduced in amplitude. In Scanning EMG the units had unchanged mean length compared with normal, but an uneven distribution of the activity. This was also seen in severely weak muscles. The findings are interpreted to be the result of degenerative and regenerative processes, giving rise to remodelling of the motor unit.