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McMackin R, Bede P, Ingre C, Malaspina A, Hardiman O. Biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current status and future prospects. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:754-768. [PMID: 37949994 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00891-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Disease heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis poses a substantial challenge in drug development. Categorization based on clinical features alone can help us predict the disease course and survival, but quantitative measures are also needed that can enhance the sensitivity of the clinical categorization. In this Review, we describe the emerging landscape of diagnostic, categorical and pharmacodynamic biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their place in the rapidly evolving landscape of new therapeutics. Fluid-based markers from cerebrospinal fluid, blood and urine are emerging as useful diagnostic, pharmacodynamic and predictive biomarkers. Combinations of imaging measures have the potential to provide important diagnostic and prognostic information, and neurophysiological methods, including various electromyography-based measures and quantitative EEG-magnetoencephalography-evoked responses and corticomuscular coherence, are generating useful diagnostic, categorical and prognostic markers. Although none of these biomarker technologies has been fully incorporated into clinical practice or clinical trials as a primary outcome measure, strong evidence is accumulating to support their clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roisin McMackin
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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2
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Necarsulmer JC, Simon JM, Evangelista BA, Chen Y, Tian X, Nafees S, Marquez AB, Jiang H, Wang P, Ajit D, Nikolova VD, Harper KM, Ezzell JA, Lin FC, Beltran AS, Moy SS, Cohen TJ. RNA-binding deficient TDP-43 drives cognitive decline in a mouse model of TDP-43 proteinopathy. eLife 2023; 12:RP85921. [PMID: 37819053 PMCID: PMC10567115 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 proteinopathies including frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by aggregation and mislocalization of the nucleic acid-binding protein TDP-43 and subsequent neuronal dysfunction. Here, we developed endogenous models of sporadic TDP-43 proteinopathy based on the principle that disease-associated TDP-43 acetylation at lysine 145 (K145) alters TDP-43 conformation, impairs RNA-binding capacity, and induces downstream mis-regulation of target genes. Expression of acetylation-mimic TDP-43K145Q resulted in stress-induced nuclear TDP-43 foci and loss of TDP-43 function in primary mouse and human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cortical neurons. Mice harboring the TDP-43K145Q mutation recapitulated key hallmarks of FTLD, including progressive TDP-43 phosphorylation and insolubility, TDP-43 mis-localization, transcriptomic and splicing alterations, and cognitive dysfunction. Our study supports a model in which TDP-43 acetylation drives neuronal dysfunction and cognitive decline through aberrant splicing and transcription of critical genes that regulate synaptic plasticity and stress response signaling. The neurodegenerative cascade initiated by TDP-43 acetylation recapitulates many aspects of human FTLD and provides a new paradigm to further interrogate TDP-43 proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Necarsulmer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Jeremy M Simon
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Genetics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Baggio A Evangelista
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Youjun Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Xu Tian
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Sara Nafees
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Ariana B Marquez
- Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Huijun Jiang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Deepa Ajit
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Viktoriya D Nikolova
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Kathryn M Harper
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - J Ashley Ezzell
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Histology Research Core Facility, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Feng-Chang Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Adriana S Beltran
- Department of Genetics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Sheryl S Moy
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Todd J Cohen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
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3
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Mandeville R, Sanchez B, Johnston B, Bazarek S, Thum JA, Birmingham A, See RHB, Leochico CFD, Kumar V, Dowlatshahi AS, Brown J, Stashuk D, Rutkove SB. A scoping review of current and emerging techniques for evaluation of peripheral nerve health, degeneration, and regeneration: part 1, neurophysiology. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:041001. [PMID: 37279730 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/acdbeb] [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] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral neuroregeneration research and therapeutic options are expanding exponentially. With this expansion comes an increasing need to reliably evaluate and quantify nerve health. Valid and responsive measures that can serve as biomarkers of the nerve status are essential for both clinical and research purposes for diagnosis, longitudinal follow-up, and monitoring the impact of any intervention. Furthermore, such biomarkers can elucidate regeneration mechanisms and open new avenues for research. Without these measures, clinical decision-making falls short, and research becomes more costly, time-consuming, and sometimes infeasible. As a companion to Part 2, which is focused on non-invasive imaging, Part 1 of this two-part scoping review systematically identifies and critically examines many current and emerging neurophysiological techniques that have the potential to evaluate peripheral nerve health, particularly from the perspective of regenerative therapies and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Mandeville
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Sanchez
- Department Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Johnston
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Stanley Bazarek
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States of America
| | - Jasmine A Thum
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Austin Birmingham
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Reiner Henson B See
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Carl Froilan D Leochico
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Luke's Medical Center, Global City, Taguig, The Philippines
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, The Philippines
| | - Viksit Kumar
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Arriyan S Dowlatshahi
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
| | - Justin Brown
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America
| | - Daniel Stashuk
- Department of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States of America
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4
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Tossing G, Livernoche R, Maios C, Bretonneau C, Labarre A, Parker JA. Genetic and pharmacological PARP inhibition reduces axonal degeneration in C. elegans models of ALS. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:3313-3324. [PMID: 35594544 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonal degeneration is observed in early stages of several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This degeneration generally precedes apoptosis and therefore may be a promising therapeutic target. An increasing number of genes have been identified to actively regulate axonal degeneration and regeneration, however, only a few potential therapeutic targets have been identified in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we investigate DLK-1, a major axonal regeneration pathway and its contribution to axonal degeneration phenotypes in several C. elegans ALS models. From this pathway, we identified the PAR polymerases (PARP) PARP-1 and PARP-2 as the most consistent modifiers of axonal degeneration in our models of ALS. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PARP-1 and PARP-2 reduces axonal degeneration and improves related motor phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Tossing
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Claudia Maios
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Constantin Bretonneau
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Audrey Labarre
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - J Alex Parker
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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5
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Oguz-Akarsu E, Sirin NG, Artug T, Erbas B, Orhan EK, Idrisoğlu HA, Ketenci A, Baslo MB, Oge AE. Automatic detection of F-waves and F-MUNE in Two Types of Motor Neuron Diseases. Muscle Nerve 2022; 65:422-432. [PMID: 35020950 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Motor unit number estimation by F-waves (F-MUNE) is an uncommonly used MUNE technique. The aim of this study was to analyze the sensitivity of F-MUNE values elicited with newly developed software in motor neuron diseases. METHODS F-waves were recorded by 300 submaximal stimuli from abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscles of 35 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 18 with previous poliomyelitis, and 20 controls. The software extracted the surface motor unit action potentials (sMUAP) and calculated the F-MUNE values. CMAP Scans were also recorded to obtain step% and MScanFit. RESULTS sMUAP amplitudes were higher and F-MUNE values were lower in both muscles of the patients than in controls. F-MUNE values were able to distinguish the patients from controls. Significant correlations were found between F-MUNE and MScanFit in patient groups. DISCUSSION The new F-MUNE software gave promising results in revealing motor unit loss caused by motor neuron diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Oguz-Akarsu
- Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Nermin Gorkem Sirin
- Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tugrul Artug
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Izmir Democracy University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bahar Erbas
- Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Demiroglu Bilim University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Elif Kocasoy Orhan
- Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Halil Atilla Idrisoğlu
- Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Ketenci
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Baris Baslo
- Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ali Emre Oge
- Departments of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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6
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Zhang S, Yang X, Xu Y, Luo Y, Fan D, Liu X. Application Value of the Motor Unit Number Index in Patients With Kennedy Disease. Front Neurol 2022; 12:705816. [PMID: 34992574 PMCID: PMC8724309 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.705816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the motor unit number index (MUNIX) technique in Kennedy disease (KD) and test the correlation between the MUNIX and other clinical parameters. The MUNIX values of the bilateral deltoid, abductor digiti minimi (ADM), quadriceps femoris (QF), and tibialis anterior (TA) were determined and compared with the course of the disease. The MUNIX sum score was calculated by adding the MUNIX values of these 8 muscles. Disability was evaluated using the spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy functional rating scale (SBMAFRS). The MUNIX scores of patients with KD were negatively correlated with the course of the disease (p < 0.05), whereas their motor unit size index (MUSIX) scores were positively correlated with the course the of disease (p < 0.05). MUNIX sum scores were correlated with SBMAFRS scores (r = 0.714, p < 0.05). MUNIX was more sensitive than compound muscle action potentials or muscle strength as an indicator of neuron loss and axonal collateral reinnervation. The MUNIX sum score is an objective and a reliable indicator of disease progression, and it is a potential choice for therapeutic clinical trials. The MUNIX can assess the functional loss of motor axons and is correlated with disability. The MUNIX sum score may be especially suitable as an objective parameter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Neurology, Changchun Central Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Yingsheng Xu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yongmei Luo
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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7
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Ibrahem AK, Al-Mahdawi AM, Hamdan FB. Motor unit number estimation versus compound muscle action potential in the evaluation of motor unit loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROSURGERY 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s41983-021-00301-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Motor neuron loss is the primary pathologic feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). An estimate of the number of surviving motor units (MUs) represents a direct measure of the disease state in ALS. The objective of the study is to compare MU number estimation (MUNE) using the multipoint stimulation method (MPS) and compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) amplitude in patients with ALS.
Methods
Twenty-eight patients with ALS with a disease duration of 3–48 months were studied. Nerve conduction study of the median, ulnar, tibial, common peroneal, and sural nerves were done. Besides, electromyography (EMG) of cranio-bulbar, cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral muscles, and MPS-MUNE.
Results
MUNE is decreased in patients with ALS. MUNE was positively correlated with CMAP amplitude, medical research council (MRC) scale, and ALS functional rating scale (ALS-FRS). On the contrary, MUNE was negatively correlated with MUAP duration. Case detection by the MUNE methods was high as compared to that of CMAP amplitude.
Conclusions
MUNE is highly specific and more sensitive than CMAP amplitude in detecting the neurophysiologic abnormalities in patients with ALS. Case detection by MUNE is three times more than CMAP amplitudes. The rate of decline of motor units using the MPS-MUNE is more sensitive than the MRC score and ALSFRS-R when expressed as the percentage change from baseline.
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Ranieri F, Mariotto S, Dubbioso R, Di Lazzaro V. Brain Stimulation as a Therapeutic Tool in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Current Status and Interaction With Mechanisms of Altered Cortical Excitability. Front Neurol 2021; 11:605335. [PMID: 33613416 PMCID: PMC7892772 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.605335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 20 years, several modalities of neuromodulation, mainly based on non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, have been tested as a non-pharmacological therapeutic approach to slow disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In both sporadic and familial ALS cases, neurophysiological studies point to motor cortical hyperexcitability as a possible priming factor in neurodegeneration, likely related to dysfunction of both excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. A trans-synaptic anterograde mechanism of excitotoxicity is thus postulated, causing upper and lower motor neuron degeneration. Specifically, motor neuron hyperexcitability and hyperactivity are attributed to intrinsic cell abnormalities related to altered ion homeostasis and to impaired glutamate and gamma aminobutyric acid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling. Several neuropathological mechanisms support excitatory and synaptic dysfunction in ALS; additionally, hyperexcitability seems to drive DNA-binding protein 43-kDA (TDP-43) pathology, through the upregulation of unusual isoforms directly contributing to ASL pathophysiology. Corticospinal excitability can be suppressed or enhanced using NIBS techniques, namely, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), as well as invasive brain and spinal stimulation. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that the after-effects of NIBS are mediated by long-term potentiation (LTP)-/long-term depression (LTD)-like mechanisms of modulation of synaptic activity, with different biological and physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of tDCS and rTMS and, possibly, of different rTMS protocols. This potential has led to several small trials testing different stimulation interventions to antagonize excitotoxicity in ALS. Overall, these studies suggest a possible efficacy of neuromodulation in determining a slight reduction of disease progression, related to the type, duration, and frequency of treatment, but current evidence remains preliminary. Main limitations are the small number and heterogeneity of recruited patients, the limited "dosage" of brain stimulation that can be delivered in the hospital setting, the lack of a sufficient knowledge on the excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms targeted by specific stimulation interventions, and the persistent uncertainty on the key pathophysiological processes leading to motor neuron loss. The present review article provides an update on the state of the art of neuromodulation in ALS and a critical appraisal of the rationale for the application/optimization of brain stimulation interventions, in the light of their interaction with ALS pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Ranieri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Sara Mariotto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
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9
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Gunes T, Sirin NG, Sahin S, Kose E, Isak B. Use of CMAP, MScan fit-MUNE, and MUNIX in understanding neurodegeneration pattern of ALS and detection of early motor neuron loss in daily practice. Neurosci Lett 2020; 741:135488. [PMID: 33217503 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pattern of lower motor neuron (LMN) degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), i.e., dying-back (from the nerve ending to cell body) or dying-forward (from the cell body to nerve ending), has been widely discussed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate LMN loss using compound muscle action potential (CMAP), motor unit number index (MUNIX), and MScan-fit-based motor unit number estimation (MUNE) to understand the pattern of neurodegeneration in ALS. METHODS Twenty-five patients were compared with 25 controls using CMAP amplitude and area, MUNIX, and MScan-fit MUNE in three proximal and distal muscles innervated by the ulnar nerve. RESULTS Unlike the controls, the CMAP area, MScan-fit MUNE, and MUNIX recorded in ALS patients showed more neurodegeneration in distal muscles than proximal muscles. In ALS patients with unaffected CMAP amplitudes (n = 13), the CMAP area, MScan-fit MUNE, and MUNIX showed subtle motor unit loss of 30.7 %, 53.8 %, and 38.4 %, respectively. CONCLUSION The CMAP area, MScan-fit MUNE, and MUNIX showed neurodegeneration earlier than the reduction in CMAP amplitude. These tests confirmed dying-back neurodegeneration, while only MUSIX showed re-innervation in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taskin Gunes
- Department of Neurology, Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey; VM Maltepe Medicalpark Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | | | - Sevki Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Maltepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ercan Kose
- Department of Neurology, Sultan 2. Abdulhamit Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Baris Isak
- Department of Neurology, Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
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10
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Bruna J, Alberti P, Calls-Cobos A, Caillaud M, Damaj MI, Navarro X. Methods for in vivo studies in rodents of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy. Exp Neurol 2020; 325:113154. [PMID: 31837318 PMCID: PMC7105293 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common, dose limiting, and long-lasting disabling adverse events of chemotherapy treatment. Unfortunately, no treatment has proven efficacy to prevent this adverse effect in patients or improve the nerve regeneration, once it is established. Experimental models, particularly using rats and mice, are useful to investigate the mechanisms related to axonal or neuronal degeneration and target loss of function induced by neurotoxic drugs, as well as to test new strategies to prevent the development of neuropathy and to improve functional restitution. Therefore, objective and reliable methods should be applied for the assessment of function and innervation in adequately designed in vivo studies of CIPN, taking into account the impact of age, sex and species/strains features. This review gives an overview of the most useful methods to assess sensory, motor and autonomic functions, electrophysiological and morphological tests in rodent models of peripheral neuropathy, focused on CIPN. We include as well a proposal of protocols that may improve the quality and comparability of studies undertaken in different laboratories. It is recommended to apply more than one functional method for each type of function, and to perform parallel morphological studies in the same targets and models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Bruna
- Unit of Neuro-Oncology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Institut Català d'Oncologia L'Hospitalet, IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Paola Alberti
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy; NeuroMI (Milan Center for Neuroscience), Milan, Italy
| | - Aina Calls-Cobos
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Martial Caillaud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Xavier Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
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11
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Tavoian D, Arnold WD, Mort SC, de Lacalle S. Sex differences in body composition but not neuromuscular function following long-term, doxycycline-induced reduction in circulating levels of myostatin in mice. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225283. [PMID: 31751423 PMCID: PMC6872155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related declines in muscle function result from changes in muscle structure and contractile properties, as well as from neural adaptations. Blocking myostatin to drive muscle growth is one potential therapeutic approach. While the effects of myostatin depletion on muscle characteristics are well established, we have very little understanding of its effects on the neural system. Here we assess the effects of long-term, post-developmental myostatin reduction on electrophysiological motor unit characteristics and body composition in aging mice. We used male (N = 21) and female (N = 26) mice containing a tetracycline-inducible system to delete the myostatin gene in skeletal muscle. Starting at 12 months of age, half of the mice were administered doxycycline (tetracycline) through their chow for one year. During that time we measured food intake, body composition, and hindlimb electromyographic responses. Doxycycline-induced myostatin reduction had no effect on motor unit properties for either sex, though significant age-dependent declines in motor unit number occurred in all mice. However, treatment with doxycycline induced different changes in body composition between sexes. All female mice increased in total, lean and fat mass, but doxycycline-treated female mice experienced a significantly larger increase in lean mass than controls. All male mice also increased total and lean mass, but administration of doxycycline had no effect. Additionally, doxycycline-treated male mice maintained their fat mass at baseline levels, while the control group experienced a significant increase from baseline and compared to the doxycycline treated group. Our results show that long-term administration of doxycycline results in body composition adaptations that are distinctive between male and female mice, and that the effects of myostatin reduction are most pronounced during the first three months of treatment. We also report that age-related changes in motor unit number are not offset by reduced myostatin levels, despite increased lean mass exhibited by female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dallin Tavoian
- Program in Translational Biomedical Sciences, 1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States of America
| | - W. David Arnold
- Departments of Neurology, PM&R, and Neuroscience, and Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Sophia C. Mort
- Program in Translational Biomedical Sciences, 1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States of America
| | - Sonsoles de Lacalle
- Sonsoles de Lacalle, Department of Biomedical Sciences,1 Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Rayner MLD, Brown HL, Wilcox M, Phillips JB, Quick TJ. Quantifying regeneration in patients following peripheral nerve injury. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2019; 73:201-208. [PMID: 31831264 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Healthy nerve function provides humans with the control of movement; sensation (such as pain, touch and temperature) and the quality of skin, hair and nails. Injury to this complex system creates a deficit in function, which is slow to recover, and rarely, if ever, returns to what patients consider to be normal. Despite promising results in pre-clinical animal experimentation effective translation is challenged by a current inability to quantify nerve regeneration in human subjects and relate this to measurable and responsible clinical outcomes. In animal models, muscle and nerve tissue samples can be harvested following experimental intervention. This allows direct quantification of muscle mass and quality and quantity of regeneration of axons; such an approach is not applicable in human medicine as it would ensure a significant functional deficit. Nevertheless a greater understanding of this process would allow the relationship that exists between neural and neuromuscular regeneration and functional outcome to be more clearly understood. This article presents a combined commentary of current practice from a specialist clinical unit and research team with regard to laboratory and clinical quantification of nerve regeneration. We highlight how electrophysiological diagnostic methods (which are used with significant recognised limitations in the assessment of clinical medicine) can potentially be used with more validity to interpret and assess the processes of neural regeneration in the clinical context, thus throwing light on the factors at play in translating lab advances into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L D Rayner
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AX, UK; UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, London, UK.
| | - H L Brown
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, London, UK; Peripheral Nerve Injury Unit Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, London, UK
| | - M Wilcox
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AX, UK; UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, London, UK; Peripheral Nerve Injury Unit Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, London, UK
| | - J B Phillips
- Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AX, UK; UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, London, UK
| | - T J Quick
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, London, UK; Peripheral Nerve Injury Unit Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, London, UK
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Cerone GL, Vieira TMM, Botter A, Gazzoni M. Design of a Wireless, Modular and Programmable Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulator . ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2019; 2019:3815-3818. [PMID: 31946705 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2019.8856848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The use of electrical stimulation to elicit single twitches and tetanic contractions of skeletal muscles has increased markedly in the last years, with applications ranging from basic physiology to clinical settings. Addressing all possible needs required by different applications with an electrical stimulator is challenging as it requires the device to be highly flexible in terms of stimulation configurations (number of channels and electrode location), and possibility to control the stimulation patterns (timing and stimulation profiles). This paper describes a new wireless, modular, and programmable electrical stimulator integrating the possibility to acquire and use biomechanical signals to trigger the stimulation output. A closed-loop FES Cycling setup has been presented to show a possible application of the system.
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14
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Liu X, Zhang S, Huang X, Zhang Y, Fan D. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and their clinical utility in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2019; 130:647-654. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the motor neurons, characterized by upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) dysfunction. There have been significant technological advances in the development of neurophysiological biomarkers of UMN and LMN dysfunction in ALS. In this review, we discuss major advances in development of neurophysiological biomarkers in ALS, critiquing their potential in diagnosis and prognosis of ALS, as well as utility in monitoring treatment effects. RECENT FINDINGS The threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technique has established cortical hyperexcitability as an early and specific biomarker of UMN dysfunction in ALS, and associated with neurodegeneration. In addition to establishing cortical hyperexcitability as a pathophysiological mechanism, threshold tracking TMS has enabled an earlier diagnosis of ALS and provided a means of monitoring effects of therapeutic agents. Biomarkers of LMN dysfunction, including motor unit number estimation, the neurophysiological index, electrical impedance myography and axonal excitability techniques, have all exhibited utility in monitoring disease progression. SUMMARY In addition to enhancing ALS diagnosis, the development of novel neurophysiological biomarkers has implications for clinical trials research and drug development, enabling the assessment of biological efficacy of agents in early stages of drug development.
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Huynh W, Dharmadasa T, Vucic S, Kiernan MC. Functional Biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2019; 9:1141. [PMID: 30662429 PMCID: PMC6328463 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.01141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) relies on determination of progressive dysfunction of both cortical as well as spinal and bulbar motor neurons. However, the variable mix of upper and lower motor neuron signs result in the clinical heterogeneity of patients with ALS, resulting frequently in delay of diagnosis as well as difficulty in monitoring disease progression and treatment outcomes particularly in a clinical trial setting. As such, the present review provides an overview of recently developed novel non-invasive electrophysiological techniques that may serve as biomarkers to assess UMN and LMN dysfunction in ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Huynh
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Steve Vucic
- Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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17
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Andrews JA, Shefner JM. Clinical neurophysiology of anterior horn cell disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2019; 161:317-326. [PMID: 31307610 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64142-7.00057-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of neurophysiological techniques for clinical assessment in the 20th century is closely related to the study of anterior horn cell diseases. The effects of motor axon loss on nerve conduction velocity and compound motor amplitude were elucidated first in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as was the characterization of reinnervation as detected by needle electromyography. The same changes noted in early studies still play a major role in the diagnosis of anterior horn cell diseases. In addition, much of modern neurophysiological assessment of motor axon quantitation, ion channel changes in neurogenic disease, and cortical physiology studies to assess both network and excitability abnormalities have all been applied to ALS. In this chapter, we summarize the clinical attributes of ALS and Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and review how clinical neurophysiology is employed in the clinical and the research setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsy A Andrews
- The Neurological Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jeremy M Shefner
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
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18
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Li M, Yao W, Sundahl C. Motor Unit Number Estimate and Isometric Hand Grip Strength in Military Veterans with or Without Muscular Complaints: Reference Values for Longitudinal Follow-up. Mil Med 2018; 183:e399-e404. [PMID: 29590409 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usy025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It remains unclear if Gulf War (GW) veterans have a higher risk of developing motor neuron disorder. We intended to establish baseline neurophysiological values, including thenar motor unit number estimate (MUNE) and isometric hand grip (IHG) strength, to compare future follow-ups of deployed GW veterans with or without muscular complaints. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated 19 GW veterans with self-reported weakness, cramps, or excessive muscle fatigue (Ill-19) and compared them with 18 controls without such muscular complaints (C-18). We performed MUNE on hand thenar muscles using adapted multipoint stimulation method for Ill-19 and 15 controls (C-15). We measured IHG strength (maximum force, endurance, and fatigue level) on Ill-19 and C-18 with a hand dynamometer. We performed nerve conduction studies on all study participants to determine which subjects had mild carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We compared the MUNE and IHG strength measures between Ill group and controls and between those with CTS and those without CTS. RESULTS We obtained thenar MUNE of Ill-19 (95% CI of mean: 143-215; mean age: 46 yr) and compared it with that of C-15 (95% CI of mean: 161-230; mean age: 45 yr), and 95% of CI of mean among IHG strength variables (maximum force: 324-381 Newton; endurance: 32-42 s; fatigue level: 24%-33%) compared with C-18 (maximum force: 349-408 Newton; endurance: 35-46 s; fatigue level: 21%-27%). There was no significant difference in either MUNE or IHG strength between Ill-19 group and controls. The MUNE and IHG maximum forces were significantly lower in those with CTS compared with those without CTS. As a surrogate of mild CTS, the median versus ulnar distal sensory latency on nerve conduction study was only weakly associated with MUNE, maximum force, and fatigue level, respectively. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, no published study on MUNE reference values of military veteran population has been available. The quantifiable values of both thenar MUNE and IHG strength of military veterans serve as baselines for our longitudinal follow-up of motor neuron function of deployed troops. These reference values are also useful for other laboratories to study veterans' motor system with or without mild CTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Li
- War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC.,Neurology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC.,Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Wenguo Yao
- War-Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC.,Neurology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Cynthia Sundahl
- Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC
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19
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de Carvalho M, Barkhaus PE, Nandedkar SD, Swash M. Motor unit number estimation (MUNE): Where are we now? Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:1507-1516. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.04.748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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20
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DeForest BA, Winslow J, Thomas CK. Improved motor unit number estimate when motor unit alternation is addressed. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2018; 125:1131-1140. [PMID: 29771606 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00910.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) is important for determining motoneuron survival with age or in conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal cord injury. The original incremental method and approaches that were introduced to minimize alternation (e.g., multiple-point stimulation) are most commonly used, but one must accept the limitation that alternation of motor units may still inflate the estimate. Alternation occurs because axon thresholds are probabilistic and overlap for different axons; therefore, different combination of motor units may respond at a given stimulus intensity. Our aims were to quantify motor unit alternation systematically in the thenar muscles of 35 healthy adults by digital subtraction of EMG and force, and to compare MUNE with and without alternation. Alternation was prevalent, with one to nine occurrences in the first 7 to 11 steps in EMG in 34 of 35 muscles. It occurred in the first 3 steps in EMG in 49% of muscles. This alternation resulted in fewer units than steps in EMG (3 to 10 units at step 7 to 11). Accounting for alternation using digital subtraction reduced MUNE by up to 50%, day-to-day, and between-participant variability in MUNE. These results highlight the need to quantify alternation to improve the reliability and precision of motor unit number estimates, which will allow for detection of smaller changes in motoneuron survival with age, various health conditions, and/or due to an intervention. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Motor unit alternation was quantified systematically for the first time, addressing a major limitation of motor unit number estimates. Accounting for alternation decreased motor unit number estimates, and improved the reliability and precision of the motor unit number estimate, which will allow smaller, clinically relevant changes in motoneuron survival to be detected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeffrey Winslow
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Florida
| | - Christine K Thomas
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami, Florida.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami, Florida.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Miami, Florida
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21
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Togawa G, Saito M, Watanabe R. Assessment of the F wave technique for motor unit number estimation in normal dogs. Vet J 2018; 234:30-35. [PMID: 29680390 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) is an electrophysiological technique to quantify the number of motor units in a muscle. A previous study examining MUNE in dogs used an incremental method. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of the F wave method in dogs and to provide information about this technique. Seven healthy laboratory dogs were examined using the F wave method by stimulating either a single site or multiple sites. In the multiple site stimulation F wave (MSS-F) method, the nerve was stimulated at several close sites along the deep peroneal nerve innervating the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Test-retest was performed with a 1 week interval in all dogs using both techniques. In this preliminary study, median MUNE values were 88 (range 27-187) using the single site stimulation F wave (SSS-F) method and 68.5 (range 47-106) using the MSS-F method. The intra-class correlation coefficients between the two sets of data for each method were 0.20 and 0.09 for left and right SSS-F, respectively, and 0.77 and 0.69 for left and right MSS-F, respectively. MSS-F had less intra-individual variability of MUNE values and was more reproducible. These results indicate that MSS-F can be performed in dogs. MUNE using MSS-F might help with quantitative evaluation of motor neurone dysfunction and progression of diseases affecting motor neurones.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Togawa
- Department of Surgery II, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - M Saito
- Department of Surgery II, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan.
| | - R Watanabe
- Department of Surgery II, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
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22
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Bas J, Delmont E, Fatehi F, Salort-Campana E, Verschueren A, Pouget J, Lefebvre MN, Grapperon AM, Attarian S. Motor unit number index correlates with disability in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:1390-1396. [PMID: 29729594 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.04.359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of motor unit number index (MUNIX) technique in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and test the correlation between MUNIX and clinical impairment. METHODS MUNIX technique was performed in the abductor pollicis brevis (APB), the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles in the nondominant side. A MUNIX sum score was calculated by adding the MUNIX of these 3 muscles. Muscle strength was measured using the MRC (medical research council) scale. Disability was evaluated using several functional scales, including CMT neuropathy score version 2 (CMTNSv2) and overall neuropathy limitation scale (ONLS). RESULTS A total of 56 CMT patients were enrolled. The MUNIX scores of the ADM, APB and TA muscles correlated with the MRC score of the corresponding muscle (p < 0.01). The MUNIX sum score correlated with the clinical scales CMTNSv2 (r = -0.65, p < 0.01) and ONLS (r = -0.57, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION MUNIX correlates with muscle strength and clinical measurements of disability in patients with CMT disease. SIGNIFICANCE The MUNIX technique evaluates motor axonal loss and correlates with disability. The MUNIX sum score may be a useful outcome measure of disease progression in CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Bas
- Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Emilien Delmont
- Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, UMR 7286, Medicine Faculty, Marseille, France
| | - Farzad Fatehi
- Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Salort-Campana
- Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, GMGF, Marseille, France
| | - Annie Verschueren
- Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Jean Pouget
- Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, GMGF, Marseille, France
| | - Marie-Noëlle Lefebvre
- CIC-CPCET, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Aude-Marie Grapperon
- Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Shahram Attarian
- Referral Center for Neuromuscular Diseases and ALS, La Timone University Hospital, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Inserm, GMGF, Marseille, France.
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Sharp PS, Tyreman N, Jones KE, Gordon T. Crush injury to motor nerves in the G93A transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis promotes muscle reinnervation and survival of functionally intact nerve-muscle contacts. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 113:33-44. [PMID: 29409912 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective survival of small motor nerve fibers and their neuromuscular contacts in the SOD1G93A transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suggests that smaller regenerated nerve fibers are more able to sustain reformed nerve-muscle connections as functionally intact motor units (MUs). The sciatic nerve was crushed unilaterally in SOD1G93A transgenic mice at 40 days of age and contractile forces of reinnervated muscles and their MUs were recorded at 90 days in order to determine the capacities of the nerves to regenerate and to form and retain functional neuromuscular connections. Reduced MU numbers in fast-twitch tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus and medial gastrocnemius muscles and the lesser reductions in slow-twitch soleus muscle of SOD1G93A transgenic mice were reversed in reinnervated muscles: there were more reinnervated MUs and their contractile forces and the muscle forces and weights increased. In line with the contrasting ability of only small not large nerve fibers to sprout to form enlarged MUs in the SOD1G93A transgenic mouse, the smaller regenerating nerve fibers formed enlarged MUs that were better able to survive. Because nerve fibers with and without muscle contacts were severed by the sciatic nerve crush injury, the conditioning lesion is untenable as the explanation for improved maintenance of reinnervated neuromuscular junctions. Elevated neurotrophic factor expression in axotomized motoneurons and/or denervated Schwann cells and the synapse withdrawal from axotomized motoneurons are other factors that, in addition to reduced size of nerve fibers reinnervating muscles, may account for increased survival and size of reinnervated MUs in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Sharp
- Department of Psychology, and Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - N Tyreman
- Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - K E Jones
- Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - T Gordon
- Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Canada; Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada.
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Katyal N, Govindarajan R. Shortcomings in the Current Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Trials and Potential Solutions for Improvement. Front Neurol 2017; 8:521. [PMID: 29033893 PMCID: PMC5626834 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a clinically progressive neurodegenerative syndrome predominantly affecting motor neurons and their associated tracts. Riluzole and edaravone are the only FDA certified drugs for treating ALS. Over the past two decades, almost all clinical trials aiming to develop a successful therapeutic strategy for this disease have failed. Genetic complexity, inadequate animal models, poor clinical trial design, lack of sensitive biomarkers, and diagnostic delays are some of the potential reasons limiting any significant development in ALS clinical trials. In this review, we have outlined the possible reasons for failure of ALS clinical trials, addressed the factors limiting timely diagnosis, and suggested possible solutions for future considerations for each of the shortcomings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nakul Katyal
- Neurology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Raghav Govindarajan
- Neurology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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25
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Zhang C, Peng Y, Li S, Zhou P, Munoz A, Tang D, Zhang Y. Spatial characterization of innervation zones under electrically elicited M-wave. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2017; 2016:121-124. [PMID: 28268294 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2016.7590655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The three dimensional (3D) innervation zone (IZ) imaging approach (3DIZI) has been developed in our group to localize the IZ of a particular motor unit (MU) from its motor unit action potentials decomposed from high-density surface electromyography (EMG) recordings. In this study, the developed 3DIZI approach was combined with electrical stimulation to investigate global distributions of IZs in muscles from electrically elicited M-wave recordings. Electrical stimulations were applied to the musculocutaneous nerve to activate supramaximal muscle response of the biceps brachii in one healthy subject, and high-density (128 channels) surface EMG signals of the biceps brachii muscles were recorded. The 3DIZI approach was then employed to image the IZ distribution of IZs in the 3D space of the biceps brachii. The performance of the M-wave based 3DIZI approach was evaluated with different stimulation intensities. Results show that the reconstructed IZs under supramaximal stimulation are spatially distributed in the center region of muscle belly which is consistent with previous studies. With sub-maximal stimulation intensity, the imaged IZ centers became more proximally and deeply located. The proposed M-wave based 3DIZI approach demonstrated its capability of imaging global distribution of IZs in muscles, which provide valuable information for clinical applications such as guiding botulinum toxin injection in treating muscle spasticity.
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Farschtschi S, Gelderblom M, Buschbaum S, Bostock H, Grafe P, Mautner VF. Muscle action potential scans and ultrasound imaging in neurofibromatosis type 2. Muscle Nerve 2016; 55:350-358. [PMID: 27422240 DOI: 10.1002/mus.25256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The neuropathy in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is difficult to quantify and follow up. In this study we compared 3 methods that may help assess motor axon pathology in NF2 patients. METHODS Nerve conduction studies in median nerves were supplemented by deriving motor unit number estimates (MUNEs) from compound muscle action potential (CMAP) scans and by high-resolution ultrasound (US) peripheral nerve imaging. RESULTS CMAP amplitudes and nerve conduction velocity were normal in the vast majority of affected individuals, but CMAP scan MUNE revealed denervation and reinnervation in many peripheral nerves. In addition, nerve US imaging enabled monitoring of the size and number of schwannoma-like fascicular enlargements in median nerve trunks. CONCLUSION In contrast to conventional nerve conduction studies, CMAP scan MUNE in combination with US nerve imaging can quantify the NF2-associated neuropathy and may help to monitor disease progression and drug treatments. Muscle Nerve 55: 350-358, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Said Farschtschi
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mathias Gelderblom
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sabriena Buschbaum
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hugh Bostock
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Grafe
- Physiological Genomics, Institute of Physiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 12, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Victor F Mautner
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
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Taleb O, Bouzobra F, Tekin-Pala H, Meyer L, Mensah-Nyagan AG, Patte-Mensah C. Behavioral and electromyographic assessment of oxaliplatin-induced motor dysfunctions: Evidence for a therapeutic effect of allopregnanolone. Behav Brain Res 2016; 320:440-449. [PMID: 27789344 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The antineoplastic oxaliplatin (OXAL) is pivotal for metastatic cancer treatments. However, OXAL evokes sensory and motor side-effects including pain, muscle weakness, motor nerve fiber dysfunctions/neuropathies that significantly impact patients' lives. Therefore, preclinical investigations are struggling to characterize effective analgesics against OXAL-induced painful/sensory symptoms but surprisingly, OXAL-evoked motor dysfunctions received little attention although these neurological symptoms are also disabling for patients. Here, we validated a rat model of OXAL-induced motor neuropathy by using (i) behavioral methods as the wire suspension and balance beam tests to assess muscle weakness and (ii) electrophysiological techniques to record the gastrocnemius electromyography (EMG). The conductance velocity of motor fibers was reduced and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) duration increased in OXAL-treated rats, leading to CMAP dispersion with no modification of the area under the curve, reflecting a heterogeneous demyelination of motor fibers. Functional motor unit analysis revealed a 50 % decrease of their estimated number which was compensated by a motor unit size increase. OXAL-induced motor weakness appeared as a combined consequence of motor fiber demyelination and motor axonopathy. Because we previously observed that allopregnanolone (AP) counteracted OXAL-evoked painful/sensory symptoms, we evaluated its action against OXAL-induced motor neurological dysfunctions. AP treatment successfully corrected motor behaviors, conductance velocity, CMAP duration, motor unit number (MUN) and motor unit size altered by OXAL-chemotherapy. These results, which are the first to show that AP efficiently rescues OXAL-induced motor neuropathy, consolidate the idea that AP-based therapy may be relevant for the treatment of both sensory and motor peripheral neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Taleb
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment 3 de la Faculté de Médecine, 11 rue Humann, 67 000 Strasbourg, France
| | - F Bouzobra
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment 3 de la Faculté de Médecine, 11 rue Humann, 67 000 Strasbourg, France
| | - H Tekin-Pala
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment 3 de la Faculté de Médecine, 11 rue Humann, 67 000 Strasbourg, France
| | - L Meyer
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment 3 de la Faculté de Médecine, 11 rue Humann, 67 000 Strasbourg, France
| | - A G Mensah-Nyagan
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment 3 de la Faculté de Médecine, 11 rue Humann, 67 000 Strasbourg, France
| | - C Patte-Mensah
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment 3 de la Faculté de Médecine, 11 rue Humann, 67 000 Strasbourg, France.
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Motor Unit Number Index (MUNIX): A novel biomarker for ALS? Clin Neurophysiol 2016; 127:1938-9. [PMID: 26971474 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Krarup C, Boeckstyns M, Ibsen A, Moldovan M, Archibald S. Remodeling of motor units after nerve regeneration studied by quantitative electromyography. Clin Neurophysiol 2016; 127:1675-1682. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases can affect the survival of peripheral neurons, their axons extending to peripheral targets, their synaptic connections onto those targets, or the targets themselves. Examples include motor neuron diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, peripheral neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseases, myasthenias, and muscular dystrophies. Characterizing these phenotypes in mouse models requires an integrated approach, examining both the nerve and muscle histologically, anatomically, and functionally by electrophysiology. Defects observed at these levels can be related back to onset, severity, and progression, as assessed by "Quality of life measures" including tests of gross motor performance such as gait or grip strength. This chapter describes methods for assessing neuromuscular disease models in mice, and how interpretation of these tests can be complicated by the inter-relatedness of the phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Burgess
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
| | - Gregory A Cox
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Kevin L Seburn
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
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Benatar M, Boylan K, Jeromin A, Rutkove SB, Berry J, Atassi N, Bruijn L. ALS biomarkers for therapy development: State of the field and future directions. Muscle Nerve 2015; 53:169-82. [PMID: 26574709 DOI: 10.1002/mus.24979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Biomarkers have become the focus of intense research in the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with the hope that they might aid therapy development efforts. Notwithstanding the discovery of many candidate biomarkers, none have yet emerged as validated tools for drug development. In this review we present a nuanced view of biomarkers based on the perspective of the Food and Drug Administration; highlight the distinction between discovery and validation; describe existing and emerging resources; review leading biological fluid-based, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging candidates relevant to therapy development efforts; discuss lessons learned from biomarker initiatives in related neurodegenerative diseases; and outline specific steps that we, as a field, might take to hasten the development and validation of biomarkers that will prove useful in enhancing efforts to develop effective treatments for ALS patients. Most important among these is the proposal to establish a federated ALS Biomarker Consortium in which all interested and willing stakeholders may participate with equal opportunity to contribute to the broader mission of biomarker development and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA, 33136
| | - Kevin Boylan
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James Berry
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nazem Atassi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Arnold W, McGovern VL, Sanchez B, Li J, Corlett KM, Kolb SJ, Rutkove SB, Burghes AH. The neuromuscular impact of symptomatic SMN restoration in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 87:116-23. [PMID: 26733414 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant advances in the development of SMN-restoring therapeutics have occurred since 2010 when very effective biological treatments were reported in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy. As these treatments are applied in human clinical trials, there is pressing need to define quantitative assessments of disease progression, treatment stratification, and therapeutic efficacy. The electrophysiological measures Compound Muscle Action Potential and Motor Unit Number Estimation are reliable measures of nerve function. In both the SMN∆7 mouse and a pig model of spinal muscular atrophy, early SMN restoration results in preservation of electrophysiological measures. Currently, clinical trials are underway in patients at post-symptomatic stages of disease progression. In this study, we present results from both early and delayed SMN restoration using clinically-relevant measures including electrical impedance myography, compound muscle action potential, and motor unit number estimation to quantify the efficacy and time-sensitivity of SMN-restoring therapy. METHODS SMA∆7 mice were treated via intracerebroventricular injection with antisense oligonucleotides targeting ISS-N1 to increase SMN protein from the SMN2 gene on postnatal day 2, 4, or 6 and compared with sham-treated spinal muscular atrophy and control mice. Compound muscle action potential and motor unit number estimation of the triceps surae muscles were performed at day 12, 21, and 30 by a single evaluator blinded to genotype and treatment. Similarly, electrical impedance myography was measured on the biceps femoris muscle at 12days for comparison. RESULTS Electrophysiological measures and electrical impedance myography detected significant differences at 12days between control and late-treated (4 or 6days) and sham-treated spinal muscular atrophy mice, but not in mice treated at 2days (p<0.01). EIM findings paralleled and correlated with compound muscle action potential and motor unit number estimation (r=0.61 and r=0.50, respectively, p<0.01). Longitudinal measures at 21 and 30days show that symptomatic therapy results in reduced motor unit number estimation associated with delayed normalization of compound muscle action potential. CONCLUSIONS The incomplete effect of symptomatic treatment is accurately identified by both electrophysiological measures and electrical impedance myography. There is strong correlation between these measures and with weight and righting reflex. This study predicts that measures of compound muscle action potential, motor unit number estimation, and electrical impedance myography are promising biomarkers of treatment stratification and effect for future spinal muscular atrophy trials. The ease of application and simplicity of electrical impedance myography compared with standard electrophysiological measures may be particularly valuable in future pediatric clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 480 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 480 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Vicki L McGovern
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 363 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Benjamin Sanchez
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Kaitlyn M Corlett
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 363 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 480 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 363 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Arthur H Burghes
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 W. 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States; Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 363 Hamilton Hall, 1645 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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Kauder J, Petri S, Tipold A, Stein VM. The Potential Role of Motor Unit Number Estimation as an Additional Diagnostic and Prognostic Value in Canine Neurology. Front Vet Sci 2015; 2:53. [PMID: 26664980 PMCID: PMC4672275 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2015.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) is an electrophysiological technique to assess the number of motor units innervating a single muscle or muscle group of interest. It may quantify axonal loss in any disease involving injury or degeneration of ventral horn cells or motor axons. Since MUNE has rarely been used in veterinary medicine, our study aimed to evaluate its potential role as an additional diagnostic and prognostic parameter in canine neurology. Therefore, we examined five healthy dogs and seven dogs suffering from diseases that necessitated general anesthesia for further diagnostics and treatment and that were not expected to interfere with the results of electrodiagnostic testing. By using the incremental technique to study MUNE in the cranial tibial muscle, we determined the number of motor units, the size of the compound muscle action potential, and the mean size of individual motor unit potentials of each dog as well as the mean values for each group. Moreover, we studied the correlation between these parameters. Taking the results into consideration, we addressed the difficulties and limitations of this technique. We, furthermore, pointed out possible fields of application for MUNE in canine neurology, and emphasized several aspects that future studies should focus on when applying MUNE to canine patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kauder
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover , Hannover , Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Andrea Tipold
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover , Hannover , Germany
| | - Veronika M Stein
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover , Hannover , Germany
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Li X, Nandedkar SD, Zhou P. Modified motor unit number index: A simulation study of the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Med Eng Phys 2015; 38:115-20. [PMID: 26639774 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The motor unit number index (MUNIX) technique has provided a quick and convenient approach to estimating motor unit population changes in a muscle. Reduction in motor unit action potential (MUAP) amplitude can lead to underestimation of motor unit numbers using the standard MUNIX technique. This study aims to overcome this limitation by developing a modified MUNIX (mMUNIX) technique. The mMUNIX uses a variable that is associated with the area of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) rather than an arbitrary fixed value (20 mV ms) as used in the standard MUNIX to define the output. The performance of the mMUNIX was evaluated using motoneuron pool and surface electromyography (EMG) models. With a fixed motor unit number, the mMUNIX output remained relatively constant with varying degrees of MUAP amplitude changes, while the standard MUNIX substantially underestimated the motor unit number in such cases. However, when MUAP amplitude remained unchanged, the mMUNIX showed less sensitivity than the standard MUNIX in tracking motor unit loss. The current simulation study demonstrated both the advantages and limitations of the standard and modified MUNIX techniques, which can help guide appropriate application and interpretation of MUNIX measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1333B Moursund St., Houston, TX, USA; TIRR Memorial Hermann Research Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | | | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1333B Moursund St., Houston, TX, USA; TIRR Memorial Hermann Research Center, Houston, TX, USA; Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Center, Guangzhou, China
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Systemic, postsymptomatic antisense oligonucleotide rescues motor unit maturation delay in a new mouse model for type II/III spinal muscular atrophy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E5863-72. [PMID: 26460027 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1509758112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical presentation of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) ranges from a neonatal-onset, very severe disease to an adult-onset, milder form. SMA is caused by the mutation of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, and prognosis inversely correlates with the number of copies of the SMN2 gene, a human-specific homolog of SMN1. Despite progress in identifying potential therapies for the treatment of SMA, many questions remain including how late after onset treatments can still be effective and what the target tissues should be. These questions can be addressed in part with preclinical animal models; however, modeling the array of SMA severities in the mouse, which lacks SMN2, has proven challenging. We created a new mouse model for the intermediate forms of SMA presenting with a delay in neuromuscular junction maturation and a decrease in the number of functional motor units, all relevant to the clinical presentation of the disease. Using this new model, in combination with clinical electrophysiology methods, we found that administering systemically SMN-restoring antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) at the age of onset can extend survival and rescue the neurological phenotypes. Furthermore, these effects were also achieved by administration of the ASOs late after onset, independent of the restoration of SMN in the spinal cord. Thus, by adding to the limited repertoire of existing mouse models for type II/III SMA, we demonstrate that ASO therapy can be effective even when administered after onset of the neurological symptoms, in young adult mice, and without being delivered into the central nervous system.
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Arnold WD, Sheth KA, Wier CG, Kissel JT, Burghes AH, Kolb SJ. Electrophysiological Motor Unit Number Estimation (MUNE) Measuring Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) in Mouse Hindlimb Muscles. J Vis Exp 2015. [PMID: 26436455 PMCID: PMC4676269 DOI: 10.3791/52899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) are electrophysiological techniques that can be used to monitor the functional status of a motor unit pool in vivo. These measures can provide insight into the normal development and degeneration of the neuromuscular system. These measures have clear translational potential because they are routinely applied in diagnostic and clinical human studies. We present electrophysiological techniques similar to those employed in humans to allow recordings of mouse sciatic nerve function. The CMAP response represents the electrophysiological output from a muscle or group of muscles following supramaximal stimulation of a peripheral nerve. MUNE is an electrophysiological technique that is based on modifications of the CMAP response. MUNE is a calculated value that represents the estimated number of motor neurons or axons (motor control input) supplying the muscle or group of muscles being tested. We present methods for recording CMAP responses from the proximal leg muscles using surface recording electrodes following the stimulation of the sciatic nerve in mice. An incremental MUNE technique is described using submaximal stimuli to determine the average single motor unit potential (SMUP) size. MUNE is calculated by dividing the CMAP amplitude (peak-to-peak) by the SMUP amplitude (peak-to-peak). These electrophysiological techniques allow repeated measures in both neonatal and adult mice in such a manner that facilitates rapid analysis and data collection while reducing the number of animals required for experimental testing. Furthermore, these measures are similar to those recorded in human studies allowing more direct comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center;
| | - Kajri A Sheth
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
| | - Christopher G Wier
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
| | - John T Kissel
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
| | - Arthur H Burghes
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
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Navarro X. Functional evaluation of peripheral nerve regeneration and target reinnervation in animal models: a critical overview. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 43:271-86. [PMID: 26228942 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries usually lead to severe loss of motor, sensory and autonomic functions in the patients. Due to the complex requirements for adequate axonal regeneration, functional recovery is often poorly achieved. Experimental models are useful to investigate the mechanisms related to axonal regeneration and tissue reinnervation, and to test new therapeutic strategies to improve functional recovery. Therefore, objective and reliable evaluation methods should be applied for the assessment of regeneration and function restitution after nerve injury in animal models. This review gives an overview of the most useful methods to assess nerve regeneration, target reinnervation and recovery of complex sensory and motor functions, their values and limitations. The selection of methods has to be adequate to the main objective of the research study, either enhancement of axonal regeneration, improving regeneration and reinnervation of target organs by different types of nerve fibres, or increasing recovery of complex sensory and motor functions. It is generally recommended to use more than one functional method for each purpose, and also to perform morphological studies of the injured nerve and the reinnervated targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Navarro
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E-08193, Bellaterra, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Bellaterra, Spain
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Abstract
Progressive weakness remains the clinical hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Accordingly, a variety of tools has been developed to capture this disease feature, including questionnaires, such as the ALS-functional rating scale, strength testing, pulmonary function tests, electrophysiologic measures, including motor unit number estimation, and imaging techniques. Despite this plethora of approaches, there is little agreement as to what measures to use in a given clinical trial or in the clinic during routine patient care. Part of the reason for this uncertainty is that ALS is a remarkably protean disease. Some individuals progress rapidly, others slowly; some patients have considerable upper motor neuron dysfunction, whereas others have little; and there is considerable variation in the sequence of body regions affected, in some the disease beginning in the bulbar musculature and in others in one arm or one leg. Here, I present a variety of basic and more complex clinical measures for potential use in therapeutic trials with the aim of offering a balanced and practical set of recommendations, as well as considerations for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seward B Rutkove
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA,
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Li J, Geisbush TR, Arnold WD, Rosen GD, Zaworski PG, Rutkove SB. A comparison of three electrophysiological methods for the assessment of disease status in a mild spinal muscular atrophy mouse model. PLoS One 2014; 9:e111428. [PMID: 25347197 PMCID: PMC4210182 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives There is a need for better, noninvasive quantitative biomarkers for assessing the rate of progression and possible response to therapy in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). In this study, we compared three electrophysiological measures: compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, motor unit number estimate (MUNE), and electrical impedance myography (EIM) 50 kHz phase values in a mild mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy, the Smn1c/c mouse. Methods Smn1c/c mice (N = 11) and wild type (WT) animals (−/−, N = 13) were measured on average triweekly until approximately 1 year of age. Measurements included CMAP, EIM, and MUNE of the gastrocnemius muscle as well as weight and front paw grip strength. At the time of sacrifice at one year, additional analyses were performed on the animals including serum survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels and muscle fiber size. Results Both EIM 50 kHz phase and CMAP showed strong differences between WT and SMA animals (repeated measures 2-way ANOVA, P<0.0001 for both) whereas MUNE did not. Both body weight and EIM showed differences in the trajectory over time (p<0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). At the time of sacrifice at one year, EIM values correlated to motor neuron counts in the spinal cord and SMN levels across both groups of animals (r = 0.41, p = 0.047 and r = 0.57, p = 0.003, respectively), while CMAP did not. Motor neuron number in Smn1c/c mice was not significantly reduced compared to WT animals. Conclusions EIM appears sensitive to muscle status in this mild animal model of SMA. The lack of a reduction in MUNE or motor neuron number but reduced EIM and CMAP values support that much of the pathology in these animals is distal to the cell body, likely at the neuromuscular junction or the muscle itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tom R. Geisbush
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - William D. Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Glenn D. Rosen
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Seward B. Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Jagtap SA, Kuruvilla A, Govind P, Nair MD, Sarada C, Varma RP. Multipoint incremental motor unit number estimation versus amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale and the medical research council sum score as an outcome measure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2014; 17:336-9. [PMID: 25221407 PMCID: PMC4162024 DOI: 10.4103/0972-2327.138522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 03/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Monitoring the disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a challenge due to different rates of progression between patients. Besides clinical methods to monitor disease progression, such as the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS) and the medical research council (MRC) sum score, quantitative methods like motor unit number estimation (MUNE) are of interest. Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the rate of progression in ALS using multipoint incremental MUNE and to compare MUNE, ALSFRS and MRC sum score at baseline and at 6 months for progression of the disease. Materials and Methods: Multipoint incremental MUNE using median nerve, ALS-FRS and MRC sum score was carried out in 29 ALS patients at baseline and then at 6 months. Results: Of the 29 ALS patients studied, the mean MUNE at baseline was 21.80 (standard deviation [SD]: 19.46, range 4-73), 15.9 in the spinal onset group (SD: 14.60) and 30.16 (SD: 22.89) in the bulbar onset group. Spinal onset patients had 74.02% of baseline MUNE value while bulbar onset patients had only 24.74% baseline value MUNE at 6 months follow-up (Unpaired t-test, P = 0.001). ALSFRS and MRC sum score showed statistically significant decline (P < 0.001) at 6 months follow-up. MUNE had the highest sensitivity for progression of the disease when compared to the ALS FRS and MRC sum score. Conclusion: Multipoint incremental MUNE is a valuable tool for outcome measure in ALS and other diseases characterized by motor unit loss. The rate of decline of multipoint incremental MUNE is more sensitive than that of MRC sum score and ALSFRS-R, when expressed as the percentage change from baseline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujit Abajirao Jagtap
- Departments of Neurology, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Abraham Kuruvilla
- Departments of Neurology, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Preetha Govind
- Departments of Neurology, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Muralidharan D Nair
- Departments of Neurology, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - C Sarada
- Departments of Neurology, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Ravi Prasad Varma
- Department of Community Medicine, Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
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Allen MD, Stashuk DW, Kimpinski K, Doherty TJ, Hourigan ML, Rice CL. Increased neuromuscular transmission instability and motor unit remodelling with diabetic neuropathy as assessed using novel near fibre motor unit potential parameters. Clin Neurophysiol 2014; 126:794-802. [PMID: 25240249 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the degree of neuromuscular transmission variability and motor unit (MU) remodelling in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) using decomposition-based quantitative electromyography (DQEMG) and near fibre (NF) motor unit potential (MUP) parameters. METHODS The tibialis anterior (TA) muscle was tested in 12 patients with DPN (65 ± 15 years) and 12 controls (63 ± 15 years). DQEMG was used to analyze electromyographic (EMG) signals collected during voluntary contractions. MUP and NF MUP parameters were analyzed. NF MUPs were obtained by high-pass filtering MUP template waveforms, which isolates contributions of fibres that are close to the needle detection surface. NF MUP parameters provided assessment of motor unit size (NF area), fibre density (NF fibre count) and contribution dispersion (NF dispersion) and neuromuscular transmission instability (NF jiggle). RESULTS DPN patients had larger (+45% NF area), more complex (+30% NF fibre count), and less stable (+30% NF jiggle) NF MUPs (p<0.05). No significant relationships were found between NF MUP stability and denervation, or strength; however NF MUP complexity was positively related to TA denervation in the DPN group (r=0.63; p<0.05). NF MUP complexity and instability were positively related in DPN patients (r=0.46; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS DPN is associated with neuromuscular transmission instability and MU remodelling that can be assessed using DQEMG. SIGNIFICANCE DQEMG-derived NF MUP parameters may be useful in identifying patients in early stages of neuromuscular dysfunction related to DPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti D Allen
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | - Kurt Kimpinski
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy J Doherty
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maddison L Hourigan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles L Rice
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Unlusoy Acar Z, Yalinay Dikmen P, Yayla V, Başaran K, Emekli U, Öge AE. Decline of compound muscle action potentials and statistical MUNEs during Wallerian degeneration. Neurophysiol Clin 2014; 44:257-65. [PMID: 25240559 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2014.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY In two previous studies, we found that the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude loss was significantly higher than the loss of estimated motor unit numbers in the course of Wallerian degeneration (WD). In order to overcome some drawbacks of the method previously used, we performed a similar CMAP vs MUNE comparison by using the statistical motor unit number estimation (MUNE) method. PATIENTS AND METHODS Initial electrophysiological studies on 6 patients were performed between 22 and 98 hours after the injuries; it was possible to make repeated examinations, four times in 1 nerve, twice in 1 nerve and three times in 4 nerves, before the eventual complete disappearance of the CMAPs. RESULTS The transected/intact (T/I) side CMAP ratios declined steeply as WD evolved. They were significantly lower than the relatively stable MUNE ratios 48 hours after the injury. CONCLUSION This study, performed with the use of statistical MUNE, strengthens our previous observation by the incremental method that might have some relevance to the pathophysiology of early WD. CMAP amplitude loss that is more than expected from the amount of axonal degeneration may indicate a considerable amount of inactive muscle fibers in the motor units innervated by the nerve fibers, which are undergoing degeneration but still retain their excitability. Although technical sources of error cannot be totally excluded, our findings could more likely be explained by the failing of neuromuscular synapses in an asynchronous order before complete unresponsiveness of the motor unit ensues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Unlusoy Acar
- Department of Neurology, TDV 29 May Hospital, 34091 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - P Yalinay Dikmen
- Department of Neurology, Acıbadem University School of Medicine, 34140 Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - V Yayla
- Department of Neurology, Dr. Sadi Konuk Bakırköy Education and Research Hospital, 34147 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - K Başaran
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, 34390 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - U Emekli
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, 34390 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - A E Öge
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, 34390 Istanbul, Turkey
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Length dependent loss of motor axons and altered motor unit properties in human diabetic polyneuropathy. Clin Neurophysiol 2014; 125:836-843. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2013.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Revised: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Effect of aging on properties of motor unit action potentials in the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2013; 23:1150-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Architecture of vagal motor units controlling striated muscle of esophagus: peripheral elements patterning peristalsis? Auton Neurosci 2013; 179:90-8. [PMID: 24044976 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2013.08.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the architecture of the vagal motor units that control esophageal striated muscle, in spite of the fact that these units are necessary, and responsible, for peristalsis. The present experiment was designed to characterize the motor neuron projection fields and terminal arbors forming esophageal motor units. Nucleus ambiguus compact formation neurons of the rat were labeled by bilateral intracranial injections of the anterograde tracer dextran biotin. After tracer transport, thoracic and abdominal esophagi were removed and prepared as whole mounts of muscle wall without mucosa or submucosa. Labeled terminal arbors of individual vagal motor neurons (n=78) in the esophageal wall were inventoried, digitized and analyzed morphometrically. The size of individual vagal motor units innervating striated muscle, throughout thoracic and abdominal esophagus, averaged 52 endplates per motor neuron, a value indicative of fine motor control. A majority (77%) of the motor terminal arbors also issued one or more collateral branches that contacted neurons, including nitric oxide synthase-positive neurons, of local myenteric ganglia. Individual motor neuron terminal arbors co-innervated, or supplied endplates in tandem to, both longitudinal and circular muscle fibers in roughly similar proportions (i.e., two endplates to longitudinal for every three endplates to circular fibers). Both the observation that vagal motor unit collaterals project to myenteric ganglia and the fact that individual motor units co-innervate longitudinal and circular muscle layers are consistent with the hypothesis that elements contributing to peristaltic programming inhere, or are "hardwired," in the peripheral architecture of esophageal motor units.
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Axonal degeneration in the peripheral nervous system: Implications for the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Neurol 2013; 246:6-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2012] [Revised: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Teng YD, Benn SC, Kalkanis SN, Shefner JM, Onario RC, Cheng B, Lachyankar MB, Marconi M, Li J, Yu D, Han I, Maragakis NJ, Lládo J, Erkmen K, Redmond DE, Sidman RL, Przedborski S, Rothstein JD, Brown RH, Snyder EY. Multimodal actions of neural stem cells in a mouse model of ALS: a meta-analysis. Sci Transl Med 2013; 4:165ra164. [PMID: 23253611 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3004579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal disease characterized by the unremitting degeneration of motor neurons. Multiple processes involving motor neurons and other cell types have been implicated in its pathogenesis. Neural stem cells (NSCs) perform multiple actions within the nervous system to fulfill their functions of organogenesis and homeostasis. We test the hypothesis that transplanted, undifferentiated multipotent migratory NSCs may help to ameliorate an array of pathological mechanisms in the SOD1(G93A) transgenic mouse model of ALS. On the basis of a meta-analysis of 11 independent studies performed by a consortium of ALS investigators, we propose that transplanted NSCs (both mouse and human) can slow both the onset and the progression of clinical signs and prolong survival in ALS mice, particularly if regions sustaining vital functions such as respiration are rendered chimeric. The beneficial effects of transplanted NSCs seem to be mediated by a number of actions including their ability to produce trophic factors, preserve neuromuscular function, and reduce astrogliosis and inflammation. We conclude that the widespread, pleiotropic, modulatory actions exerted by transplanted NSCs may represent an accessible therapeutic application of stem cells for treating ALS and other untreatable degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang D Teng
- Departments of Neurosurgery and PM&R, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Allen MD, Choi IH, Kimpinski K, Doherty TJ, Rice CL. Motor unit loss and weakness in association with diabetic neuropathy in humans. Muscle Nerve 2013; 48:298-300. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.23792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matti D. Allen
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada N6G 1H1
| | - In Ho Choi
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada N6G 1H1
| | - Kurt Kimpinski
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Timothy J. Doherty
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada N6G 1H1
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | - Charles L. Rice
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada N6G 1H1
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry; The University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
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Crone C, Krarup C. Neurophysiological approach to disorders of peripheral nerve. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2013; 115:81-114. [PMID: 23931776 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-52902-2.00006-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of the peripheral nerve system (PNS) are heterogeneous and may involve motor fibers, sensory fibers, small myelinated and unmyelinated fibers and autonomic nerve fibers, with variable anatomical distribution (single nerves, several different nerves, symmetrical affection of all nerves, plexus, or root lesions). Furthermore pathological processes may result in either demyelination, axonal degeneration or both. In order to reach an exact diagnosis of any neuropathy electrophysiological studies are crucial to obtain information about these variables. Conventional electrophysiological methods including nerve conduction studies and electromyography used in the study of patients suspected of having a neuropathy and the significance of the findings are discussed in detail and more novel and experimental methods are mentioned. Diagnostic considerations are based on a flow chart classifying neuropathies into eight categories based on mode of onset, distribution, and electrophysiological findings, and the electrophysiological characteristics in each type of neuropathy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Crone
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Maathuis EM, Drenthen J, van Doorn PA, Visser GH, Blok JH. The CMAP scan as a tool to monitor disease progression in ALS and PMA. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2012; 14:217-23. [DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2012.732079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Judith Drenthen
- Departments of Clinical Neurophysiology
- Departments of Neurology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter A. van Doorn
- Departments of Neurology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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