RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A new method for the estimation of the number of motor units in a muscle
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 907
OP 915
DO 10.1136/jnnp.37.8.907
VO 37
IS 8
A1 John P. Ballantyne
A1 Stig Hansen
YR 1974
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/37/8/907.abstract
AB A new method, incorporating on-line computer analysis, is described for the estimation of the numbers of motor units in human muscle. The results obtained in the extensor digitorum brevis muscle in normal subjects and patients with myasthenia gravis are presented. These indicate that the numbers of motor units in that muscle in patients with myasthenia gravis are within the normal range, in contrast with the reduction in numbers reported by other workers using a different technique. Evidence is presented to suggest that the discrepancy in these results is due to increased sensitivity and discrimination of the computerized method. Several hypotheses on the aetiology of a number of neuromuscular diseases, based on the results of the other method, may require reevaluation.