Differences in motor unit features of healthy and mnd affected muscles detected using b-mode ultrasound imaging

The physical properties of motor units (MUs), and the connective tissues into which they are embedded, are important to understanding movement. MU remodelling and loss result from various causes, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Involuntary excitation of MUs is a diagnostic indicator of MND, detectable with ultrasound imaging. This investigation determined that features of MU excitation can be quantified in b-mode ultrasound image sequences. Differences exist in the characteristics of fasciculations in healthy and MND affected muscles. These measures may be valuable clinical biomarkers and inform understanding of skeletal muscle properties.