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Hu N, Li Y, Liu J, Cui L, Liu M. Split Phenomenon of Fasciculation between Antagonistic Muscles in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An Ultrasound Study. Can J Neurol Sci 2024; 51:187-195. [PMID: 37183728 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2023.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Paresis of muscle groups in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) tends to present split phenomena. We explored the split phenomenon of fasciculation in multiple antagonistic muscle groups in ALS patients. METHODS One hundred and forty ALS patients and 66 non-ALS patients were included from a single ALS center. Muscle ultrasonography (MUS) was performed to detect fasciculation in elbow flexor-extensor, wrist flexor-extensor, knee flexor-extensor, and ankle flexor-extensor. Split phenomena of fasciculation between different antagonistic muscle groups were summarized, and the possible influence factors were analyzed through stratified analysis. RESULTS The frequency of split phenomenon of fasciculation intensity was significantly higher than those of muscle strength (26.1% vs. 7.1% for elbow flexor-extensor, 38.3% vs. 5.7% for wrist flexor-extensor, 37.9% vs. 3.0% for knee extensor-flexor, and 33.6% vs. 14.4% for ankle flexor-extensor) (P < 0.01). For muscles with 0-1 level of muscle strength (the Medical Research Council, MRC, score), significance difference in mean fasciculation intensity was observed only in ankle flexor-extensor. For muscles with 2-5 level of muscle strength, significant dissociation of fasciculation grade was common, especially among patients with slow rapid progression rate and both upper and lower motor neuron (UMN and LMN) involvement. As for non-ALS patients, no significant difference was observed in fasciculation intensity between antagonistic muscles. CONCLUSION Split phenomenon of fasciculation between antagonistic muscles was common and relatively specific in ALS patients. Muscle strength, progression rate, and UMN involvement were influence factors of the split phenomenon of fasciculation intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Hu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwen Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
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Fasciculation score: a sensitive biomarker in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:4657-4666. [PMID: 33704599 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05166-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to elucidate the characteristic of fasciculation distributions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using a fasciculation score (FS) of muscle ultrasound (MUS) and to compare the diagnostic values of three MUS fasciculation parameters in patients. METHODS Thirty ALS patients, 16 ALS mimics, and 10 healthy subjects were involved. MUS of unilateral 10 muscles in each patient and needle electromyography (EMG) of total 204 muscles were performed to detect fasciculations and spontaneous activity respectively in ALS. Control groups underwent only MUS. Fasciculation was graded semiquantitatively with FS. RESULTS Three hundred fifty muscles in ALS and 260 in controls were examined. The fasciculation detection rates, total FS, the number of muscles with fasciculation, and the total number of fasciculations in ALS were all significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.001). ALS patients exhibited a multifocal continuous pattern of fasciculation in limbs, whereas there were few fasciculations in controls. Compared with other parameters, total FS had the largest area under the curve (AUC) (AUC = 0.899, P < 0.001) in ALS diagnosis. The detection rates of lower motor neuron (LMN) acute lesions by MUS (70.6%) and EMG (72.1%) were nearly the same, and a positive correlation between the FS and spontaneous activity grades (P < 0.001, r = 0.359) was proved. CONCLUSIONS ALS patients exhibited the multifocal continuous pattern of fasciculation in limbs. FS showed high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating ALS from non-ALS patients, and the optimal cut-off value was determined as 4. The combination of MUS and EMG can provide additional information about specific muscles.
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Bashford J, Masood U, Wickham A, Iniesta R, Drakakis E, Boutelle M, Mills K, Shaw C. Fasciculations demonstrate daytime consistency in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2020; 61:745-750. [PMID: 32208527 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fasciculations represent early neuronal hyperexcitability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To aid calibration as a disease biomarker, we set out to characterize the daytime variability of fasciculation firing. METHODS Fasciculation awareness scores were compiled from 19 ALS patients. In addition, 10 ALS patients prospectively underwent high-density surface electromyographic (HDSEMG) recordings from biceps and gastrocnemius at three time-points during a single day. RESULTS Daytime fasciculation awareness scores were low (mean: 0.28 muscle groups), demonstrating significant variability (coefficient of variation: 303%). Biceps HDSEMG recordings were highly consistent for fasciculation potential frequency (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 95%, n = 19) and the interquartile range of fasciculation potential amplitude (ICC = 95%, n = 19). These parameters exhibited robustness to observed fluctuations in data quality parameters. Gastrocnemius demonstrated more modest levels of consistency overall (44% to 62%, n = 20). DISCUSSION There was remarkable daytime consistency of fasciculation firing in the biceps of ALS patients, despite sparse and intermittent awareness among patients' accounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Bashford
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - Urooba Masood
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - Aidan Wickham
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Raquel Iniesta
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King's College, London, UK
| | | | - Martyn Boutelle
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kerry Mills
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
| | - Chris Shaw
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
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Bashford J, Mills K, Shaw C. The evolving role of surface electromyography in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:942-950. [PMID: 32044239 PMCID: PMC7083223 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease that leads to inexorable motor decline and a median survival of three years from symptom onset. Surface EMG represents a major technological advance that has been harnessed in the development of novel neurophysiological biomarkers. We have systematically reviewed the current application of surface EMG techniques in ALS. METHODS We searched PubMed to identify 42 studies focusing on surface EMG and its associated analytical methods in the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of ALS patients. RESULTS A wide variety of analytical techniques were identified, involving motor unit decomposition from high-density grids, motor unit number estimation and measurements of neuronal hyperexcitability or neuromuscular architecture. Some studies have proposed specific diagnostic and prognostic criteria however clinical calibration in large ALS cohorts is currently lacking. The most validated method to monitor disease is the motor unit number index (MUNIX), which has been implemented as an outcome measure in two ALS clinical trials. CONCLUSION Surface EMG offers significant practical and analytical flexibility compared to invasive techniques. To capitalise on this fully, emphasis must be placed upon the multi-disciplinary collaboration of clinicians, bioengineers, mathematicians and biostatisticians. SIGNIFICANCE Surface EMG techniques can enrich effective biomarker development in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Bashford
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London, UK
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Bashford JA, Wickham A, Iniesta R, Drakakis EM, Boutelle MG, Mills KR, Shaw CE. The rise and fall of fasciculations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa018. [PMID: 32901231 PMCID: PMC7425399 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with a median survival of 3 years from symptom onset. Accessible and reliable biomarkers of motor neuron decline are urgently needed to quicken the pace of drug discovery. Fasciculations represent an early pathophysiological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and can be reliably detected by high-density surface electromyography. We set out to quantify fasciculation potentials prospectively over 14 months, seeking comparisons with established markers of disease progression. Twenty patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and five patients with benign fasciculation syndrome underwent up to seven assessments each. At each assessment, we performed the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-functional rating scale, sum power score, slow vital capacity, 30-min high-density surface electromyography recordings from biceps and gastrocnemius and the motor unit number index. We employed the Surface Potential Quantification Engine, which is an automated analytical tool to detect and characterize fasciculations. Linear mixed-effect models were employed to account for the pseudoreplication of serial measurements. The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-functional rating scale declined by 0.65 points per month (P < 0.0001), 35% slower than average. A total of 526 recordings were analysed. Compared with benign fasciculation syndrome, biceps fasciculation frequency in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was 10 times greater in strong muscles and 40 times greater in weak muscles. This was coupled with a decline in fasciculation frequency among weak muscles of -7.6/min per month (P = 0.003), demonstrating the rise and fall of fasciculation frequency in biceps muscles. Gastrocnemius behaved differently, whereby strong muscles in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis had fasciculation frequencies five times greater than patients with benign fasciculation syndrome while weak muscles were increased by only 1.5 times. Gastrocnemius demonstrated a significant decline in fasciculation frequency in strong muscles (2.4/min per month, P < 0.0001), which levelled off in weak muscles. Fasciculation amplitude, an easily quantifiable surrogate of the reinnervation process, was highest in the biceps muscles that transitioned from strong to weak during the study. Pooled analysis of >900 000 fasciculations revealed inter-fasciculation intervals <100 ms in the biceps of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, particularly in strong muscles, consistent with the occurrence of doublets. We hereby present the most comprehensive longitudinal quantification of fasciculation parameters in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, proposing a unifying model of the interactions between motor unit loss, muscle power and fasciculation frequency. The latter showed promise as a disease biomarker with linear rates of decline in strong gastrocnemius and weak biceps muscles, reflecting the motor unit loss that drives clinical progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Bashford
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Correspondence to: James A. Bashford, MRCP, PhD UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, 5 Cutcombe Road, King’s College London, London SE5 9RT, UK E-mail:
| | - Aidan Wickham
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Raquel Iniesta
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Kerry R Mills
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Chris E Shaw
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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Theme 8 Clinical imaging and electrophysiology. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:246-261. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1646996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Bokuda K, Shimizu T, Kimura H, Morishima R, Kamiyama T, Kawata A, Nakayama Y, Isozaki E. Relationship between EMG-detected and ultrasound-detected fasciculations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A prospective cohort study. Clin Neurophysiol 2019; 131:259-264. [PMID: 31506234 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fasciculation potentials (FP) are an important consideration in the electrophysiological diagnosis of ALS. Muscle ultrasonography (MUS) has a higher sensitivity in detecting fasciculations than electromyography (EMG), while in some cases, it is unable to detect EMG-detected fasciculations. We aimed to investigate the differences of FP between the muscles with and without MUS-detected fasciculations (MUS-fas). METHODS Thirty-one consecutive patients with sporadic ALS were prospectively recruited and in those, both needle EMG and MUS were performed. Analyses of the amplitude, duration, and number of phases of EMG-detected FPs were performed for seven muscles per patient, and results were compared between the muscles with and without MUS-fas in the total cohort. RESULTS The mean amplitude and phase number of FP were significantly lower in patients with EMG-detected FP alone (0.39 ± 0.25 mV and 3.21 ± 0.88, respectively) than in those with both FP and MUS-fas (1.22 ± 0.92 mV and 3.74 ± 1.39, respectively; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.017, Welch's t-test). CONCLUSION Small FP may be undetectable with MUS. MUS cannot replace EMG in the diagnostic approach for ALS. SIGNIFICANCE Clinicians should use a combination of EMG and MUS for the detection and quantitative analysis of fasciculation in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Bokuda
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; ALS Nursing Care Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Toshio Shimizu
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; ALS Nursing Care Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Kimura
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Morishima
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kamiyama
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kawata
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; ALS Nursing Care Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Nakayama
- ALS Nursing Care Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiji Isozaki
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Theme 8 Clinical imaging and electrophysiology. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018; 19:240-263. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1510575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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