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

3.5K
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...
3.5K
Muscle Stimulation Frequency01:22

Muscle Stimulation Frequency

4.2K
The contraction strength of muscles is regulated by motor neurons, which modulate the frequency of action potentials dispatched to the motor units based on the body's requirements. This process of varying the muscle stimulation frequency allows muscles to contract with a force that is precisely tailored to the needs of the moment, whether lifting a feather or a heavy box.
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...
4.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Multi-dimensional characterization and tracking of motor unit action potentials.

Journal of neural engineering·2026
Same author

Pathogenic Variants in the PRKRA Gene Can Result in a Rapid-Onset Dystonia-Parkinsonism-like Phenotype.

Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society·2026
Same author

Effect of fatigue on neuromuscular adaptations in endurance-trained and recreationally active males.

PeerJ·2026
Same author

Postoperative Weight Gain and Body Composition in DBS Patients: Associations with IPG Recharge Efficiency.

Stereotactic and functional neurosurgery·2026
Same author

Fatigue-Induced Neuromuscular Responses Differ Between Endurance- and Strength-Trained Males.

European journal of sport science·2026
Same author

Understanding the Effects of Conductive Polymer Electrode Coating on Recorded Neural Signals.

Advanced healthcare materials·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models
14:14

Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models

Published on: August 12, 2018

9.3K

Entrainment of Motoneuron Firing by Deep Brain Stimulation.

Jeremy Liegey, Ben O'Callaghan, Richard A Walsh

    Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference
    |December 3, 2025
    PubMed
    Summary

    Deep brain stimulation (DBS) partially synchronizes motor unit firing in Parkinson's patients. High-density surface electromyography (HD-EMG) shows this effect, suggesting pyramidal tract activation during DBS.

    More Related Videos

    Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function
    07:47

    Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function

    Published on: February 4, 2016

    13.6K
    Author Spotlight: Automated Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease - Exploring the Possibilities and Challenges of Home Monitoring
    06:32

    Author Spotlight: Automated Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease - Exploring the Possibilities and Challenges of Home Monitoring

    Published on: July 14, 2023

    1.8K

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

    Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models
    14:14

    Targeting Neuronal Fiber Tracts for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Using Interactive, Patient-Specific Models

    Published on: August 12, 2018

    9.3K
    Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function
    07:47

    Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function

    Published on: February 4, 2016

    13.6K
    Author Spotlight: Automated Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease - Exploring the Possibilities and Challenges of Home Monitoring
    06:32

    Author Spotlight: Automated Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease - Exploring the Possibilities and Challenges of Home Monitoring

    Published on: July 14, 2023

    1.8K

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Motor Control

    Background:

    • Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a key therapy for Parkinson's disease symptoms.
    • The precise impact of DBS on neural inputs controlling motor unit firing remains unclear.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate how subthalamic nucleus DBS affects motor unit firing patterns.
    • To explore the potential of high-density surface electromyography (HD-EMG) in assessing DBS effects.

    Main Methods:

    • Decomposition of HD-EMG signals from the first dorsal interosseous muscle.
    • Analysis of motor unit firing during isometric index finger abduction in six Parkinson's patients with DBS.
    • Power spectrum analysis of motor unit firing trains to detect entrainment patterns.

    Main Results:

    • DBS induced partial entrainment of motor unit firing in 50% of participants.
    • Entrainment occurred at stimulation frequency, its harmonics, and half the stimulation frequency.
    • Analysis confirmed these peaks were not stimulation artifacts, suggesting pyramidal tract neuron activation.

    Conclusions:

    • DBS at clinical settings can activate pyramidal tract neurons.
    • HD-EMG is a viable tool for detecting pyramidal tract activation during DBS.
    • Findings support using HD-EMG for optimizing DBS parameter settings and closed-loop systems.