Scientific Reports, 2019 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53235-w · Published: November 18, 2019
This study refines methods to assess spinal motor unit input in rat limbs, using CMAP and MUNE. These methods are reliable and align with anatomical motor neuron counts. The study validates these methods in SOD1 mutant rats, which model ALS, showing progressive motor unit decline, particularly in the hindlimb. This decline correlates with muscle contractility. The research aims to improve cross-species translation by using electrophysiological values as biomarkers, which can guide and improve bi-directional translation between animal models and clinical applications.
Objective electrophysiological CMAP and MUNE values can be used as biomarkers to improve cross-species translation.
The developed forelimb and hindlimb CMAP and MUNE techniques allow for spatial characterization of motor unit pathology in preclinical models of neuromuscular disease.
The combined use of forelimb and hindlimb recording techniques can provide insights into topographic aspects of disease onset and progression in regard to regional loss of motor unit integrity, benefiting spinal cord injury research.