Motor unit number estimation
Motor Unit Number Estimation (MUNE)
Motor Unit Number Estimation (MUNE) is a neurophysiological technique used to estimate the number of motor neurons in a muscle or muscle group.
Pronunciation
Motor Unit Number Estimation: /ˈmoʊtər ˈjuːnɪt ˈnʌmbər ˌɛstɪˈmeɪʃən/
Etymology
The term "Motor Unit Number Estimation" is derived from its function. A "motor unit" refers to a single motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates. "Number estimation" refers to the process of estimating the number of these units.
Definition
MUNE is a method that provides an estimate of the number of motor units in a muscle by analyzing the electrical activity produced by the muscle during contraction. This technique is often used in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases that affect the motor neurons, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Methodology
The MUNE technique involves stimulating a nerve that supplies a muscle and recording the electrical response of the muscle. The size of the response is proportional to the number of motor units that are activated by the stimulation. By repeating the stimulation at different intensities and averaging the responses, an estimate of the total number of motor units can be obtained.
Related Terms
- Electromyography (EMG): A diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them.
- Motor Neuron Diseases (MND): A group of neurological disorders that selectively affect motor neurons.
- Neurophysiology: The study of the functioning of the nervous system.
- Motor Neuron: A type of nerve cell that is responsible for sending signals from the brain to the muscles of the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Motor unit number estimation
- Wikipedia's article - Motor unit number estimation
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