Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Motor Unit Stimulation01:20

Motor Unit Stimulation

1.4K
When the neuron of a motor unit fires an action potential, it triggers a series of events, leading to a twitch contraction in the muscle fibers. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is crucial in relaying the action potential to the muscle fibers.
The latent period of contraction marks the onset of excitation-contraction coupling, when the action potential propagates across the sarcolemma, preparing the muscle fibers for contraction. As the fibers enter the contraction phase, the...
1.4K
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade01:29

Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade

3.0K
The site of chemical communication between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber is called the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The end of the motor neuron at the NMJ divides into a cluster of synaptic end bulbs. The cytoplasm of these bulbs consists of synaptic vesicles enclosing acetylcholine molecules, the principal neurotransmitter released at the NMJ. The region opposite the synaptic bulb that ends in the muscle fiber is called the motor end plate, which has acetylcholine receptors. Within the...
3.0K
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action01:28

Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action

1.4K
Depolarizing blockers act on skeletal muscle fibers' membranes and induce their depolarization. Most depolarizing blockers have two quaternary N+ atoms that bind the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cause neuromuscular blockade within minutes.
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because...
1.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Impact of Age at Onset on Relapse and Disability in AQP4-IgG Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

Neurology·2026
Same author

Selective Muscle Weakness in Achilles Tendinopathy: Is It Time to Look Beyond the Soleus?

Exercise and sport sciences reviews·2026
Same author

Neurophysiological characteristics accompanying runners with Achilles tendinopathy and their influence in triceps surae performance (PhD Academy Award).

British journal of sports medicine·2025
Same author

Is soleus intrinsic motor neuron excitability contributing to motor deficits in runners with Achilles tendinopathy?

European journal of applied physiology·2025
Same author

Treatments and therapies for symptoms and clinical manifestations of adult type 1 myotonic dystrophy: A scoping review.

Journal of the neurological sciences·2025
Same author

Effect of foot position during plantarflexion on the neural drive to the gastrocnemii in runners with Achilles tendinopathy.

European journal of applied physiology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Studying Neuromuscular Responses and Motor Neuron Plasticity in Neurodegenerative Diseases
06:08

Author Spotlight: Studying Neuromuscular Responses and Motor Neuron Plasticity in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Published on: April 19, 2024

311

Assessing the Effect of Riluzole on Motor Unit Discharge Properties.

Ehsan Shandiz1, Gabriel Lima Fernandes2, Joao Saldanha Henkin2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Toowoomba Base Hospital, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia.

Brain Sciences
|November 27, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Riluzole did not alter motor neuron function or excitability in individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This study found no significant differences in motor neuron discharge properties with Riluzole use.

Keywords:
ALSHDsEMGMNDelectromyographymulti-channel surface EMGriluzole

More Related Videos

Functional Isolation of Single Motor Units of Rat Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle
06:54

Functional Isolation of Single Motor Units of Rat Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle

Published on: December 26, 2020

5.3K
Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
14:55

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI

Published on: April 18, 2011

13.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Author Spotlight: Studying Neuromuscular Responses and Motor Neuron Plasticity in Neurodegenerative Diseases
06:08

Author Spotlight: Studying Neuromuscular Responses and Motor Neuron Plasticity in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Published on: April 19, 2024

311
Functional Isolation of Single Motor Units of Rat Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle
06:54

Functional Isolation of Single Motor Units of Rat Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle

Published on: December 26, 2020

5.3K
Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
14:55

Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI

Published on: April 18, 2011

13.7K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Motor Neuron Diseases

Background:

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
  • Riluzole is a medication used to slow the progression of ALS.
  • Understanding Riluzole's effects on motor neuron function is crucial for ALS management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of Riluzole on motor neuron excitability and function.
  • To assess if Riluzole influences the persistent inward current in motor neurons.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized high-density surface electromyography (EMG) in 80 ALS participants.
  • Assessed motor neuron excitability via discharge rates of paired motor units in the tibialis anterior muscle.
  • Calculated recruitment-derecruitment frequencies (delta F) and peak discharge rates.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in motor neuron discharge properties were observed between Riluzole users and non-users.
  • Riluzole treatment did not appear to alter the assessed indices of motor neuron excitability.

Conclusions:

  • Riluzole may not modulate motor neuron excitability as measured by these specific electrophysiological parameters.
  • Further research is needed to explore alternative mechanisms or patient subgroups where Riluzole might exert effects.