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Neurophysiologic evaluation of lower motor neuron damage in tetraplegia

Corresponding Author

Peter H. Gorman MD

Department of Neurology, University of Maryland Medical System, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USASearch for more papers by this author

Donald G. Kikta MD,

Donald G. Kikta MD

Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA

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P. Hunter Peckham PhD,

P. Hunter Peckham PhD

MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Department of Orthopedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

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Peter H. Gorman MD,

Corresponding Author

Peter H. Gorman MD

Department of Neurology, University of Maryland Medical System, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, VA Maryland Health Care System, 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USASearch for more papers by this author

Donald G. Kikta MD,

Donald G. Kikta MD

Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA

Search for more papers by this author

P. Hunter Peckham PhD,

P. Hunter Peckham PhD

MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Department of Orthopedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

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First published: 07 December 1998

https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4598(199810)21:10<1321::AID-MUS12>3.0.CO;2-4

Citations: 9

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Abstract

We quantitatively investigated the extent of damage to motor neurons in tetraplegic subjects. Numbers of motor units in the patients were significantly lower for thenar, wrist extensor, and biceps brachii as compared to controls. Reduction in counts occurred even when M-response amplitudes were normal. Standard electromyography suggested a surprising frequency of lower motor neuron dysfunction below the level of injury. These results confirm previous reports and add data on motor units in the biceps brachii. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21:1321–1323, 1998.

References

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Volume21, Issue10

October 1998

Pages 1321-1323

Neurophysiologic evaluation of lower motor neuron damage in tetraplegia

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Neurophysiologic evaluation of lower motor neuron damage in tetraplegia

Abstract

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