[Recent progress in electrodiagnostic tests in clinical neurology]

Electrodiagnostic testings including electromyography have become increasingly important tools in clinical practice of neurology. These tests should not merely be referred to a technician, but be viewed as a clinical tool used by a neurologist. Recent advances in clinical electromyography, nerve conduction tests, and tests for axonal function including the newly developed threshold electrotonus are reviewed. These not only serve as a diagnostic tool, but also are useful in clinical trials by providing an objective parameter of nerve function. Computerized threshold tracking techniques such as threshold electrotonus enable us to monitor molecular events in various ion channels in axons of patients. Further development is expected toward clinical molecular neurophysiology.