The motor unit in muscular dystrophy, a single fibre EMG and scanning EMG study

Abstract

Dystrophic muscle shows increase in fibre density, abnormally low jitter in some recordings and more often increased jitter. The cross section of the motor unit has normal length. There are no signs of abnormal volume conduction characteristics. The increased fibre density is believed to be due to localised increase in the number of muscle action potential generators. The findings are compatible with a remodelling of the motor unit due to fibre loss and a reparative process with fibre regeneration and reinnervation.