Electromyographic analysis of motor units in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis

Abstract

Among the mechanisms of motor disorders in central motor neuron lesions, along with changes in descending impulses to motoneurons, segmental disorders are also assumed. In 1879, Charcot proposed the hypothesis of transsynaptic degeneration of motoneurons in lesions of central motor neurons. Subsequently, changes in motoneurons in experimental and clinical lesions of the pyramidal tract were observed by many, though not all researchers. Charcot's theory received as if a new confirmation in electromyographic studies, which showed a decrease in the number of motor units and increase in the territories of the preserved motor units in the muscles of the affected side in patients with hemiplegia.