Scientists and pharmaceutical industry have an interest in ultra-segmenting each disease despite the obvious overlap both clinically and at molecular level of most neurodegenerative diseases.
The motor unit number estimation (MUNE) method, reflects motor unit loss in motor neuron diseases, yet there is more and more doctors using it in other contexts.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of a peripheral motor neuron in Parkinson Disease using the motor unit number estimation method, which reflects motor unit loss in motor neuron diseases.
Multipoint incremental MUNE method was calculated in abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi in forty one patients with Parkinson disease and forty five healthy volunteers.
From the analysis, the MUNE of APB was lower in Parkinson disease than in the control group, especially in the sub-group aged 60 years or older. MUNE was negatively correlated with the age of patientsfor APB, but not with the duration of the disease and advancement of Parkinson disease.
The loss of motor units in sporadic Parkinson's disease revealed by multipoint incremental MUNE method is considered a sign of lower motor neuron involvement, however, loss of motor neurons is slight and does not manifest equally in all muscles .