title: Reference voluntary jitter values using disposable monopolar needle electrodes in the extensor digitorum communis muscle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure normal variability in neuromuscular transmission in the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscle voluntarily activated using a disposable monopolar needle electrode (MNPE).
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the EDC muscle using MNPE in 50 healthy volunteers (12 male and 38 female, mean age: 41.5+/-12.9 years, age range: 18-74 years). The high-pass filter setting was 3 kHz.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Jitter values are expressed as the mean consecutive difference (MCD) of 20 potential pairs. Mean MCD (n=50) was 21.3+/-3 micros (upper 95% confidence limit (CL): 27.3 micros). Mean MCD in all potential pairs (n=1000) was 21.3+/-6.6 micros (upper 95% CL: 34 micros). Mean MCD for the 18th highest value was 28+/-4.7 micros (upper 95% CL: 37.5 micros).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The suggested practical upper limit for mean MCD was set to 28 micros; for outliers it was 38 micros.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study defines the normative value for jitter recorded with disposable MNPE, which is a low-cost alternative for the evaluation of neuromuscular transmission, although certain precautions must be taken.
authors.affiliation: Haydarpaşa Numune Education and Research Hospital, 2nd Neurology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey. tutkavulkemal@yahoo.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tutkavul
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Baslo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004566:Electrodes; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*