✓Calculate motor unit number estimation (MUNE) from single motor unit potentials
✓Perform in vivo electrophysiological recordings in mouse hindlimb muscles
Protocol
We present refined protocols that allow in vivo monitoring of motor unit function in the mouse. Techniques to measure compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) in the mouse hind limb muscles innervated by the sciatic nerve are described.
Difficulty
advanced
Total time
~45–60 min per mouse
Model organism
Mouse (strain unspecified)
Steps
1
Assemble recording setup and calibrate equipment
Configure electrophysiological recording apparatus, electrode placement system, and data acquisition hardware for in vivo motor unit monitoring in anesthetized mice.
▶ 02:17
2
Record sciatic nerve CMAP responses
Stimulate the sciatic nerve with increasing current intensities and record evoked compound muscle action potentials from hindlimb muscles to obtain the maximal CMAP.
▶ 03:46
3
Measure average single motor unit potential
Analyze single motor unit action potential amplitudes from submaximal stimulation to calculate mean motor unit size for MUNE determination.
▶ 04:44
4
Interpret representative CMAP and MUNE data
Review example recordings demonstrating typical CMAP waveforms and corresponding motor unit number estimates from sciatic nerve stimulation.
▶ 07:29
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