Motor units are fundamental components in the process of contraction of skeletal muscle. Motor unit morphology changes in response to pathologies including motor neurone disease and sarcopenia. Currently the clinical method to investigate motor unit morphology and activity is invasive needle electromyography. Here we present a novel diffusion weighted imaging technique, motor unit MRI (MUMRI). MUMRI has been used to investigate the morphology of single human motor units, producing quantitative data on cross sectional area and dimensions of human motor units. This data agrees with current literature. MUMRI has detected statistically significant changes in the morphology of motor units.
How to access this content:
For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.
After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.
After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.
Keywords