Median and ulnar nerve conduction studies: normative data for young adults

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Electrophysiology

Background:

• Accurate interpretation of electrodiagnostic studies requires standardized techniques and normative data.
• Factors like temperature, age, and physical characteristics influence nerve conduction parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide comprehensive normative electrodiagnostic data for the median and ulnar nerves.
• To assess the impact of age, sex, sidedness, and handedness on nerve conduction parameters.

Main Methods:

• Nerve conduction studies were performed on 44 healthy subjects.
• Data collected included motor and sensory distal latencies and amplitudes for median and ulnar nerves.
• Statistical analysis considered age, sex, height, finger circumference, and instrumentation.

Main Results:

• Established normative values for median and ulnar nerve motor and sensory studies.
• Median nerve: motor DL 3.2 msec, DAMP 12.1 mV; sensory DL 2.5 msec, DAMP 31.4 microV (men) / 52.4 microV (women).
• Ulnar nerve: motor DL 2.6 msec, DAMP 12.6 mV; sensory DL 2.4 msec, DAMP 27.0 microV (men) / 52.9 microV (women).
• Aging showed minimal effects, more pronounced in median nerve sensory amplitudes.
• Sidedness and handedness did not significantly impact parameters.

Conclusions:

• The study provides essential normative data for median and ulnar nerves, vital for clinical electrodiagnosis.
• Age is a factor influencing nerve conduction, particularly sensory nerve action potential amplitude.
• Standardized methods and consideration of influencing factors are critical for reliable electrodiagnostic interpretations.