title: Motor unit number estimation: new techniques and new uses.
abstract: MUNE is a unique neurophysiologic tool because it can quantitatively estimate the number of motor neurons innervating a muscle or group of muscles. All other neurophysiologic techniques are influenced by collateral reinnervation and provide only a qualitative estimate of motor unit loss. Further, the S-MUPs obtained with MUNE provide quantitative information about the whole motor unit. Other routine neurophysiologic techniques provide information restricted to a portion of the motor unit. These unique features of MUNE have been applied to neurogenic disorders to yield a better understanding of disease processes. Various modifications are being developed that will provide more data and ease of use. It is anticipated that the availability of MUNE on EMG machines will grow and it use will expand from a research tool to a routine neurophysiologic test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Room 3R152, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84109, USA. mbromberg@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Mark B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bromberg
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000367:Age Factors; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors