Facilitated measurement of neuromuscular junction operational stability

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Single fibre electromyography (SFEMG) is a collection of techniques based on the analysis of motor unit potentials (MUPs), detected using selective single-fibre (SFN) needle electrodes, for assessment of the stability of the operation of the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) of muscle fibres in human motor units.  The analysis focuses on measuring the variability (jitter) of the inter-potential intervals (IPIs) of pairs of muscle fibre potentials (MFPs) contributing to MUPs, across an ensemble of MUPs detected from a single motor unit.  Jitter measurements are very sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of disorders of the NMJ and are considered useful and important for the treatment and management of several disorders of the NMJ.  Unfortunately, standard jitter measurements are currently difficult to obtain.  They take considerable physician time, dexterity and vigilance, require significant cooperation of the patient and the purchase and maintenance of SFN electrodes is expensive.  The difficulties involved with completing SFEMG studies greatly limit their widespread use.   The proposed research will develop automated techniques for acquiring suitable EMG signals and for analyzing the acquired signals to obtain valuable jitter related measurements.  The developed methods will allow SFEMG studies to be more quickly, reliably and readily completed allowing more widespread use of the important information they provide.