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Origin of intramuscular nerve action potential.
L Gutmann1, H C Hopf, R Roeder
1Department of Neurology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown 26506.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|December 1, 1987
Summary
The intramuscular nerve action potential (INAP) originates from the digital nerve, not muscle. Surface electrodes detect this nerve signal, confirmed by sensory nerve blocks and electrode placement studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- The precise origin of the intramuscular nerve action potential (INAP) remains a subject of investigation.
- Conventional surface electrodes are commonly used for electrophysiological recordings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the origin of the intramuscular nerve action potential (INAP).
- To clarify the role of surface electrodes and digital nerves in INAP recordings.
Main Methods:
- Investigated INAP using conventional surface recording electrodes.
- Varied the placement of the reference electrode (G2) over digital nerves.
- Utilized sensory nerve action potential stimulation and anesthetic blocks.
Main Results:
- INAP appearance correlated with subjective paresthesias.
- INAP was exclusively recorded when the reference electrode (G2) was positioned over a digital nerve.
- INAP latency increased with more distal G2 placement.
- INAP was blocked by orthodromic sensory nerve action potentials from the thumb.
- INAP was abolished by anesthetic blockade of the digital nerve proximal to G2.
Conclusions:
- The findings strongly indicate that the INAP is recorded by the reference electrode (G2) from the digital nerve.
- The study clarifies that INAP does not originate from intramuscular sources but rather from the digital nerve itself.
- This research provides crucial insights into the electrophysiological interpretation of INAP recordings.