Electrically evoked multiplet discharges are associated with more marked clinical deterioration in motor neuron disease |
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| Authors: | Boudewijn T.H.M. Sleutjes MSc PhDEng Ellen M. Maathuis MD Pieter A. van Doorn MD PhD Joleen H. Blok PhD Gerhard H. Visser MD PhD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands;2. Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;3. Department of Clinical Physics, Máxima Medical Centre Veldhoven, Veldhoven, The Netherlands;4. Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, SEIN Heemstede, Heemstede, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether electrically evoked multiplet discharges (MDs) are related to severity of clinical deterioration in motor neuron disease (MND). Methods: Stimulated high‐density surface electromyographic (HDsEMG) recordings were performed in thenar muscles. Data were collected from 31 MND patients. MDs from the HDsEMG recordings were determined at baseline. ALSFRS‐R scores were obtained at baseline and at a maximum of 16 weeks follow‐up. Results: The presence of MDs was associated with progressive deterioration of ALSFRS‐R score (P = 0.02) and fine motor function (FMF) (P < 0.001). Patients who had a higher number of motor units that generated MDs (r = 0.61, P < 0.001) and patients who had a higher number of MDs (as percentage of applied stimuli) (r = 0.59, P = 0.001) had a more severe decline in FMF. Conclusions: Electrically evoked MDs are associated with more marked clinical deterioration in patients with MND. Muscle Nerve 53: 222–226, 2016 |
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| Keywords: | disease progression ectopic motor unit activity EMG MND multiplet discharges |
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