Satellite potentials on EMG: neurophysiologic evidence of axonal transection in MS?

Antonini, G; Morino, S; Giubilei, F; Paolillo, A; Ceschin, V; Gragnani, F; Bucci, E; Pozzilli, C · Neurology · 2001

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

To detect signs of axonal damage in MS, the authors investigated the occurrence in EMG of motor unit action potentials with satellite potentials (SP-MUAP) in the upper limb muscles in 10 consecutive patients with MS with cervical spinal cord demyelinating lesions and 10 control subjects. Subjects' SP-MUAP rate was 0 to 2.5% (median 0%) in the control group, and 0 to 17.5% (median 7.5%) in the MS group (p < 0.01). Motor unit remodeling secondary to axonal transection of spinal motor neurons traversing cervical demyelinating lesions may be hypothesized.

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