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Abstract #0330

Imaging human motor unit activity using MRI.

Paola Porcari1, Ian Schofield2, Roger Whittaker3, and Andrew M Blamire4

1Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 2Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 3Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 4Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Neuromuscular diseases can lead to characteristic changes in the anatomy of motor units (MU). In this study we developed an MR approach to image motor unit activity. In-scanner electrical stimulation of MU was synchronized to a pulsed-gradient spin-echo imaging sequence sensitive to microscopic contraction of muscle fibers. Experimental data was compared to a simple theoretical model and scan parameters evaluated. The spatial pattern of muscle fibers forming different MU was imaged for the first time in healthy controls.

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