Volume 48, Issue 2 pp. 298-300

Short Report

Motor unit loss and weakness in association with diabetic neuropathy in humans

Matti D. Allen MSc,

Corresponding Author

Matti D. Allen MSc

School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

Correspondence to: M. Allen; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

In Ho Choi BA,

In Ho Choi BA

School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

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Kurt Kimpinski MD, PhD,

Kurt Kimpinski MD, PhD

Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

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Timothy J. Doherty MD, PhD,

Timothy J. Doherty MD, PhD

School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

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Charles L. Rice PhD,

Charles L. Rice PhD

School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

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Matti D. Allen MSc,

Corresponding Author

Matti D. Allen MSc

School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

Correspondence to: M. Allen; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

In Ho Choi BA,

In Ho Choi BA

School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

Search for more papers by this author

Kurt Kimpinski MD, PhD,

Kurt Kimpinski MD, PhD

Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Search for more papers by this author

Timothy J. Doherty MD, PhD,

Timothy J. Doherty MD, PhD

School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Search for more papers by this author

Charles L. Rice PhD,

Charles L. Rice PhD

School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H1

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

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First published: 30 January 2013

https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.23792

Citations: 64

This work was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada. M.D.A. was supported by the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) program. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Supported by the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

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ABSTRACT

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus can be associated with peripheral neuropathy which may affect numbers of functioning motor units (MUs) of limb muscles. Direct quantitative assessment of MU numbers and muscle strength have not been performed in humans. We compared the estimated number of MUs of individuals with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) versus controls.

Methods

Patients with signs/symptoms of DPN were studied using decomposition-enhanced quantitative electromyography of the tibialis anterior (TA). Motor unit number estimates were derived from this analysis.

Results

Dorsiflexion strength was ∼60% less in DPN than controls (P < 0.05). Additionally, the estimated number of functioning TA MUs was ∼60% fewer in patients with DM (∼46) versus controls (∼111) (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These data directly measure MU loss associated with DPN in a proximal muscle in humans. It remains to be determined whether quantifying MU loss has clinical utility in monitoring the progression or management of DPN. Muscle Nerve, 48: 298–300, 2013

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Volume48, Issue2

August 2013

Pages 298-300

Motor unit loss and weakness in association with diabetic neuropathy in humans

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

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Motor unit loss and weakness in association with diabetic neuropathy in humans

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

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