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Motor unit behavior in Parkinson's disease

D S Glendinning¹, R M Enoka

¹Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.

Physical Therapy

|January 1, 1994

Summary

Parkinson's disease (PD) alters motor unit behavior, causing irregular firing and abnormal muscle coactivation. Strength training may improve physical therapy for individuals with PD.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Motor Control
Movement Disorders

Background:

Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily viewed as a disorder of higher motor centers, with limited research on muscular performance.
Bradykinesia, or slowed movement, is a hallmark symptom of PD, necessitating a deeper understanding of underlying neuromuscular changes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and synthesize existing literature on motor unit behavior in Parkinson's disease.
To elucidate the specific alterations in motor unit function contributing to bradykinesia in PD.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on studies investigating motor unit activity in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Analysis of findings related to muscle activation, discharge patterns, motor unit recruitment, and antagonist muscle coactivation.

Main Results:

Reduced muscle activation is observed in PD.
Motor unit discharge patterns become irregular and intermittent.
Increased motor unit recruitment at low thresholds and abnormal antagonist coactivation occur in PD compared to controls.

Conclusions:

Altered motor unit behavior in PD may stem from neurotransmitter imbalances, neuronal adaptations to disuse, or atypical aging processes.
Physical therapy interventions for Parkinson's disease should consider incorporating more strength-training exercises to address neuromuscular deficits.

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