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Single motor unit estimation of the cutaneous silent period in ALS

Arslan, Betilay Topkara; Ozyurt, M Gorkem; Isaik, Baris; Cecen, Serpil; Turker, Kemal S; (2024) Single motor unit estimation of the cutaneous silent period in ALS. Clinical Neurophysiology , 157 pp. 110-119. 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.11.013.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence indicated that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also impairs spinal circuits, including those mediating cutaneous silent period (CSP). However, most studies utilised surface electromyography (sEMG), which needs more resolution to pinpoint changes at the single motoneuron level. We aimed to investigate CSP properties using single motor unit discharges in ALS. METHODS: In mild and severe ALS patients and controls, CSP was recorded in the first dorsal interosseus and analysed using the discharge rate method, which accurately shows the inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) profile. RESULTS: Our findings confirmed that the CSP latency was prolonged only in severe ALS patients. Moreover, the CSP duration was similar in each group, but late-stage ALS patients tend to have a longer CSP duration. The discharge rate method revealed a significantly longer duration (up to 150 ms) than the duration detected using sEMG. Strikingly, the motoneuron discharge rate – IPSP duration inverse relationship is lost in ALS patients, indicating a possible impairment in the motoneuron integrative properties. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support previous findings of prolonged latency, presented input–output modifications of motoneurons, and revealed the entire course of the CSP, representing a much stronger inhibitory event than previously thought. SIGNIFICANCE: Motoneuron integrative property modification assessed by CSP could be a new biomarker for ALS.

Type: Article
Title: Single motor unit estimation of the cutaneous silent period in ALS
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.11.013
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2023.11.013
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, cutaneous silent period, single motor units, electromyography
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Department of Neuromuscular Diseases
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10187781
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