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Changes in motor unit numbers in patients with ALS: a longitudinal study using the adapted multiple point stimulation method

2002; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 3; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/146608202317576516

1466-0822

François‐Charles Wang, Olivier Bouquiaux, Victor De Pasqua, PJ Delwaide,

Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

AbstractMETHOD : The adapted multiple point stimulation (AMPS) method for calculating motor unit numbers (MUNE) was applied in 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) before riluzole therapy (T 0 ) and again after 4, 8 and 12 months of treatment. RESULTS : Paired Student's t -test indicated a significant decrease of thenar MUNE and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) size at each 4-monthly interval, while average surface motor unit potential (SMUP) size did not change significantly over time. The rate of motor unit (MU) loss at month 4 was more than 20% in six patients (group 1) and less than 20% in six other patients (group 2). Comparison of groups 1 and 2 by Mann-Whitney U-testing indicated that percent changes in thenar MUNE and CMAP size compared to baseline were significantly different at months 4, 8 and 12, while no difference between the two groups was found for average SMUP size variations. In the group with a slow rate of MU loss, CMAP size remained stable, while in the group with a rapid rate of MU loss, there was a dramatic reduction in size of the CMAP. A positive correlation was found between percent change in thenar MUNE at T 4 and at T 12 ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION : AMPS is a useful technique to document MUNE, SMUP size and CMAP size changes over time in patients with ALS.Motor UnitMuneAls