Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Assessing Rat Diaphragm Motor Unit Connectivity Outcome Measures as Quantitative Biomarkers of Phrenic Motor Neuron Degeneration and Compensation
Published on: April 19, 2024
Motor unit loss and weakness in association with diabetic neuropathy in humans
Matti D Allen1, In Ho Choi, Kurt Kimpinski
1School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6G 1H1, Canada. mallen9@uwo.ca
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.
More Related Videos
09:07Electrophysiological Motor Unit Number Estimation (MUNE) Measuring Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP) in Mouse Hindlimb Muscles
Published on: September 25, 2015
06:35In Vivo Electrophysiological Measurement of Compound Muscle Action Potential from the Forelimbs in Mouse Models of Motor Neuron Degeneration
Published on: June 15, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Neural Regulation