Key result
Patients with stable past poliomyelitis showed minimal changes in axonal excitability properties, with increased motor rheobase but no significant changes in strength-duration properties.
Why the study?
Are axonal excitability characteristics altered in patients with stable past poliomyelitis compared to changes seen in ALS?
Observational (n=10)
Are axonal excitability characteristics altered in patients with stable past poliomyelitis compared to changes seen in ALS?
Patients with stable past poliomyelitis show minimal changes in axonal excitability properties, suggesting sufficient compensation in surviving motor neurons.
Indicates adequate compensation in surviving motor neurons; leaves open whether excitability testing distinguishes stable poliomyelitis from ALS.
INTRODUCTION: Poliomyelitis causes selective destruction of anterior horn cells and usually has a stable disease course post-infection. We assessed the excitability characteristics in patients with a stable course after past poliomyelitis and compared them with changes described in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: The excitability characteristics of motor and sensory nerves were studied in 10 subjects with stable past poliomyelitis. RESULTS: Motor rheobase was increased, but there were no significant changes in strength-duration properties or depolarizing threshold electrotonus, as have been seen in previous studies of ALS. CONCLUSIONS: There is minimal change in axonal excitability properties in patients with stable past poliomyelitis. The results may signify sufficient compensation in the stable state of the disease. Increased subexcitability in 1 subject with demonstrable hyperexcitability may represent compensation for increased ectopic activity rather than a different process in surviving motor neurons. Muscle Nerve 50: 602-604, 2014.
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Liang et al. (2014) conducted an observational in Stable past poliomyelitis (n=10). Past poliomyelitis vs. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) historical data was evaluated on Excitability characteristics of motor and sensory nerves. Patients with stable past poliomyelitis showed minimal changes in axonal excitability properties, with increased motor rheobase but no significant changes in strength-duration properties.
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