Satellite potentials on EMG: neurophysiologic evidence of axonal transection in MS?

Neurology. 2001 Sep 25;57(6):1126-8. doi: 10.1212/wnl.57.6.1126.

Abstract

To detect signs of axonal damage in MS, the authors investigated the occurrence in EMG of motor unit action potentials with satellite potentials (SP-MUAP) in the upper limb muscles in 10 consecutive patients with MS with cervical spinal cord demyelinating lesions and 10 control subjects. Subjects' SP-MUAP rate was 0 to 2.5% (median 0%) in the control group, and 0 to 17.5% (median 7.5%) in the MS group (p < 0.01). Motor unit remodeling secondary to axonal transection of spinal motor neurons traversing cervical demyelinating lesions may be hypothesized.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Axons / physiology*
  • Electromyography*
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology
  • Wallerian Degeneration / diagnosis
  • Wallerian Degeneration / physiopathology