This work was funded by a Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Research Program Grant from the Missouri Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Research Program (NLN and WDA).

All procedures were approved and conducted in compliance with the guidelines established by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of Missouri. Experiments were performed on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 11 to 15 weeks. These rats were housed in pairs and kept under a 12:12 light-dark cycle, with access to standard commercial pelleted food and HCl-treated water available at all times.
1. Animal preparation and anesthesia delivery
<ol>
	<li>W...

Quantifying Phrenic Motor Unit Function in Rodent Models of Neurodegeneration

<ol>
	<li>Mantilla, C. B., Zhan, W. -. Z., Sieck, G. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retrograde+labeling+of+phrenic+motoneurons+by+intrapleural+injection.">Retrograde labeling of phrenic motoneurons by intrapleural injection.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 182 (2), 244-249 (2009).</li><li>Nichols, N. L., Satriotomo, I., Harrigan, D. J., Mitchell, G. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acute+intermittent+hypoxia+induced+phrenic+long-term+facilitation+despite+increased+sod1+expression+in+a+rat+model+of+als.">Acute intermittent hypoxia induced phrenic long-term facilitation despite increased sod1 expression in a rat model of als.</a> Exp Neurol. 273, 138-150 (2015).</li><li>Nichols, N. L., Craig, T. A., Tanner, M. 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C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amyotrophic+lateral+sclerosis.">Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.</a> Lancet. 377 (9769), 942-955 (2011).</li><li>Bo&#235;rio, D., Kalmar, B., Greensmith, L., Bostock, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Excitability+properties+of+mouse+motor+axons+in+the+mutant+sod1g93a+model+of+amyotrophic+lateral+sclerosis.">Excitability properties of mouse motor axons in the mutant sod1g93a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.</a> Muscle Nerve. 41 (6), 774-784 (2010).</li><li>Shibuya, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motor+cortical+function+determines+prognosis+in+sporadic+als.">Motor cortical function determines prognosis in sporadic als.</a> Neurology. 87 (5), 513-520 (2016).</li><li>Lewelt, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Compound+muscle+action+potential+and+motor+function+in+children+with+spinal+muscular+atrophy.">Compound muscle action potential and motor function in children with spinal muscular atrophy.</a> Muscle Nerve. 42 (5), 703-708 (2010).</li><li>Mcgovern, V. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Smn+expression+is+required+in+motor+neurons+to+rescue+electrophysiological+deficits+in+the+smn&#948;7+mouse+model+of+sma.">Smn expression is required in motor neurons to rescue electrophysiological deficits in the smn&#948;7 mouse model of sma.</a> Hum Mol Genet. 24 (19), 5524-5541 (2015).</li><li>Arnold, W. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrophysiological+biomarkers+in+spinal+muscular+atrophy:+Preclinical+proof+of+concept.">Electrophysiological biomarkers in spinal muscular atrophy: Preclinical proof of concept.</a> Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 1 (1), 34-44 (2014).</li><li>Harrigan, M. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessing+rat+forelimb+and+hindlimb+motor+unit+connectivity+as+objective+and+robust+biomarkers+of+spinal+motor+neuron+function.">Assessing rat forelimb and hindlimb motor unit connectivity as objective and robust biomarkers of spinal motor neuron function.</a> Sci Rep. 9 (1), 16699 (2019).</li><li>Arnold, W. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrophysiological+motor+unit+number+estimation+(mune)+measuring+compound+muscle+action+potential+(cmap)+in+mouse+hindlimb+muscles.">Electrophysiological motor unit number estimation (mune) measuring compound muscle action potential (cmap) in mouse hindlimb muscles.</a> J. Vis. Exp: JoVE. (103), e52899 (2015).</li><li>Martin, M., Li, K., Wright, M. C., Lepore, A. 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J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+longitudinal+study+comparing+thenar+motor+unit+number+estimates+to+other+quantitative+tests+in+patients+with+amyotrophic+lateral+sclerosis.">A longitudinal study comparing thenar motor unit number estimates to other quantitative tests in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.</a> Muscle Nerve. 20 (2), 179-185 (1997).</li><li>Vucic, S., Rutkove, S. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurophysiological+biomarkers+in+amyotrophic+lateral+sclerosis.">Neurophysiological biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.</a> Curr Opin Neurol. 31 (5), 640-647 (2018).</li><li>Carleton, S., Brown, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Changes+in+motor+unit+populations+in+motor+neurone+disease.">Changes in motor unit populations in motor neurone disease.</a> J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 42 (1), 42-51 (1979).</li><li>Yuen, E. C., Olney, R. 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M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motor+unit+number+estimation+in+human+neurological+diseases+and+animal+models.">Motor unit number estimation in human neurological diseases and animal models.</a> Clin Neurophysiol. 112 (6), 955-964 (2001).</li><li>Ahad, M., Rutkove, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Correlation+between+muscle+electrical+impedance+data+and+standard+neurophysiologic+parameters+after+experimental+neurogenic+injury.">Correlation between muscle electrical impedance data and standard neurophysiologic parameters after experimental neurogenic injury.</a> Physiol Meas. 31 (11), 1437 (2010).</li><li>Kasselman, L. J., Shefner, J. M., Rutkove, S. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motor+unit+number+estimation+in+the+rat+tail+using+a+modified+multipoint+stimulation+technique.">Motor unit number estimation in the rat tail using a modified multipoint stimulation technique.</a> Muscle Nerve. 40 (1), 115-121 (2009).</li><li>Ngo, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+relationship+between+bayesian+motor+unit+number+estimation+and+histological+measurements+of+motor+neurons+in+wild-type+and+sod1g93a+mice.">The relationship between bayesian motor unit number estimation and histological measurements of motor neurons in wild-type and sod1g93a mice.</a> Clin Neurophysiol. 123 (10), 2080-2091 (2012).</li><li>Feasby, T., Brown, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Variation+of+motor+unit+size+in+the+human+extensor+digitorum+brevis+and+thenar+muscles.">Variation of motor unit size in the human extensor digitorum brevis and thenar muscles.</a> J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 37 (8), 916-926 (1974).</li><li>Nichols, N. L., Vinit, S., Bauernschmidt, L., Mitchell, G. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Respiratory+function+after+selective+respiratory+motor+neuron+death+from+intrapleural+ctb-saporin+injections.">Respiratory function after selective respiratory motor neuron death from intrapleural ctb-saporin injections.</a> Exp Neurol. 267, 18-29 (2015).</li><li>Nichols, N. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ventilatory+control+in+als.">Ventilatory control in als.</a> Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 189 (2), 429-437 (2013).</li><li>Cifra, A., Nani, F., Nistri, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Respiratory+motoneurons+and+pathological+conditions:+Lessons+from+hypoglossal+motoneurons+challenged+by+excitotoxic+or+oxidative+stress.">Respiratory motoneurons and pathological conditions: Lessons from hypoglossal motoneurons challenged by excitotoxic or oxidative stress.</a> Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 179 (1), 89-96 (2011).</li><li>Kobayashi, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fals+with+gly72ser+mutation+in+sod1+gene:+Report+of+a+family+including+the+first+autopsy+case.">Fals with gly72ser mutation in sod1 gene: Report of a family including the first autopsy case.</a> J Neurol Sci. 300 (1), 9-13 (2011).</li><li>Su, M., Wakabayashi, K., Tanno, Y., Inuzuka, T., Takahashi, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+autopsy+case+of+amyotrophic+lateral+sclerosis+with+concomitant+alzheimer's+and+incidental+lewy+body+diseases.">An autopsy case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with concomitant alzheimer's and incidental lewy body diseases.</a> No to shinkei= Brain and nerve. 48 (10), 931-936 (1996).</li><li>Llad&#243;, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Degeneration+of+respiratory+motor+neurons+in+the+sod1+g93a+transgenic+rat+model+of+als.">Degeneration of respiratory motor neurons in the sod1 g93a transgenic rat model of als.</a> Neurobiol Dis. 21 (1), 110-118 (2006).</li><li>Borkowski, L. F., Smith, C. L., Keilholz, A. N., Nichols, N. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Divergent+receptor+utilization+is+necessary+for+phrenic+long-term+facilitation+over+the+course+of+motor+neuron+loss+following+ctb-sap+intrapleural+injections.">Divergent receptor utilization is necessary for phrenic long-term facilitation over the course of motor neuron loss following ctb-sap intrapleural injections.</a> J Neurophysiol. 126 (3), 709-722 (2021).</li><li>Nicolopoulos-Stournaras, S., Iles, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motor+neuron+columns+in+the+lumbar+spinal+cord+of+the+rat.">Motor neuron columns in the lumbar spinal cord of the rat.</a> J Comp Neurol. 217 (1), 75-85 (1983).</li><li>Tosolini, A. P., Morris, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeting+motor+end+plates+for+delivery+of+adenoviruses:+An+approach+to+maximize+uptake+and+transduction+of+spinal+cord+motor+neurons.">Targeting motor end plates for delivery of adenoviruses: An approach to maximize uptake and transduction of spinal cord motor neurons.</a> Sci Rep. 6 (1), 33058 (2016).</li><li>Mchanwell, S., Biscoe, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+localization+of+motoneurons+supplying+the+hindlimb+muscles+of+the+mouse.">The localization of motoneurons supplying the hindlimb muscles of the mouse.</a> Phil. Trans. R. , 477-508 (1981).</li><li>Nair, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Histological+identification+of+phrenic+afferent+projections+to+the+spinal+cord.">Histological identification of phrenic afferent projections to the spinal cord.</a> Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 236, 57-68 (2017).</li><li>Courtine, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Can+experiments+in+nonhuman+primates+expedite+the+translation+of+treatments+for+spinal+cord+injury+in+humans.">Can experiments in nonhuman primates expedite the translation of treatments for spinal cord injury in humans.</a> Nat Med. 13 (5), 561-566 (2007).</li><li>Friedli, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pronounced+species+divergence+in+corticospinal+tract+reorganization+and+functional+recovery+after+lateralized+spinal+cord+injury+favors+primates.">Pronounced species divergence in corticospinal tract reorganization and functional recovery after lateralized spinal cord injury favors primates.</a> Sci Transl Med. 7 (302), 134 (2015).</li><li>Arnold, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nerve+excitability+in+the+rat+forelimb:+A+technique+to+improve+translational+utility.">Nerve excitability in the rat forelimb: A technique to improve translational utility.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 275, 19-24 (2017).</li><li>Boriek, A., Rodarte, J., Reid, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Shape+and+tension+distribution+of+the+passive+rat+diaphragm.">Shape and tension distribution of the passive rat diaphragm.</a> Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 280, R33-R41 (2001).</li></ol>

In MN degenerative diseases, such as ALS, it is crucial to assess the MUs involved in ventilation28. Despite the occurrence of respiratory MN degeneration in ALS patients, the specific onset and progression of MN death remain incompletely understood29,30,31. Recognizing the significance of this aspect, various models, both genetic-based (e.g., SOD12,32<...

Phrenic motor neurons (MNs), extending from C3 to C6 myotome levels, form the final link from the central nervous system (CNS) to the diaphragm muscle1. Phrenic motor units (MUs) are comprised of a single spinal MN and its innervated diaphragm muscle fibers forming the smallest functional unit of the respiratory neuromuscular system. The ventilatory function requires adequate contraction of the diaphragm muscle achieved through coordinated activation of the phrenic MU pool2,3. Many neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), result in severe ventilatory impairment, ultimately contributing to the cause of death4.
Several electrophysiological approaches can be employed to evaluate and monitor the integrity of the motor unit (MU) pool in vivo. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) reflects the summated depolarization of all muscle fibers in a specific muscle or muscle group after peripheral nerve stimulation and is sensitive to a range of neuromuscular conditions, including ALS5,6 and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)7,8,9. A limitation of CMAP assessment is that collateral sprouting can lead to maintained CMAP amplitude and area even in the presence of MU loss10. To overcome this limitation, modifications have been made to the CMAP technique to evaluate both motor unit number and size11. Additionally, an in vivo study investigating the functional assessment of diaphragm CMAP by an electrophysiological system suggested that it may also be feasible to utilize the described diaphragm CMAP recording technique for motor unit number estimation12.
The incremental motor unit number estimation (MUNE) technique was initially introduced in the early 1970s by McComas et al. for the extensor digitorum brevis muscle in humans13. The incremental MUNE approach was a modification of the traditional CMAP recording technique during which a gradually increasing stimulation was delivered to record quantal, all-or-none submaximal increments as indices of single motor unit responses. The summed and averaged increments were used to calculate an estimate for the size of a single motor unit potential (SMUP). This calculated size was then divided into the CMAP amplitude to estimate the number of MUs innervating the muscle under examination11. MUNE demonstrates high sensitivity in detecting and monitoring motor unit loss, allowing for the identification of motor unit dysfunction before observable changes in measures such as CMAP amplitude or area14,15. In ALS patients, MUNE has proven to be exceptionally sensitive, serving as a prominent biomarker for disease onset, progression, and prognosis16,17.
Numerous adaptations of MUNE have been developed and widely used to assess MU function in conditions such as neurodegeneration, neural injury, and the natural aging process18,19,20,21. Since the initial description, various adaptations utilizing both electrophysiological responses and incremental force (mechanical) measurements have been employed in both human studies and animal models22. MUNE provides a non-invasive functional assessment of motor neuron connectivity with the muscle. Longitudinally applying MUNE enables the understanding of disease or induced phenotype progression and the evaluation of protective or regenerative effects of therapeutic interventions, both in clinical and preclinical settings. Regardless of the effectiveness of MUNE measures reproducibility and the clinical relevance of the technique for MU pools throughout most of the human body, efforts have largely focused on limb muscles in rodent muscles10,23,24,25.
Therefore, the objectives of this study were to describe an approach to obtaining compound muscle action potential (CMAP), SMUP, and phrenic motor unit number (MUNE) as in vivo assessments that can be used longitudinally in preclinical rodent studies to quantify the MUNE, motor unit size (represented as SMUP), and CMAP. Furthermore, we present representative data that highlights the loss of diaphragm MU number following intrapleural administration of a phrenic MN degenerative agent, cholera toxin B fragment conjugated to saporin (CTB-SAP).

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>2 mL Glass Syringe</td>
			<td>Kent Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>SOMNO-2ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 mL, Model 705 RN syringe</td>
			<td>Hamilton Company</td>
			<td>7637-01</td>
			<td>Utilized to conduct intrapleural injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5008 - Formulab Diet</td>
			<td>LabDiet</td>
			<td>0001325</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Autoclavable 26 G needles (26S RN 9.52 mm 40&#176;)</td>
			<td>Hamilton Company</td>
			<td>7804-04</td>
			<td>Utilized to conduct intrapleural injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cholera toxin B-subunit (CTB)</td>
			<td>MilliporeSigma</td>
			<td>C9903</td>
			<td>Utilized for intrapleural injection to label surviving motor neurons</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cholera toxin B-subunit conjugated to saporin (CTB-SAP)</td>
			<td>Advanced Targeting Systems</td>
			<td>IT-14</td>
			<td>Utilized for intrapleural injection to cause motor neuron death</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Detachable Cable</td>
			<td>Technomed</td>
			<td>202845-0000</td>
			<td>to connect the recorder electrode to the electrodiagnostic machine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable 2&#34; x 2&#34; disc electrode with leads</td>
			<td>Cadwell</td>
			<td>302290-000</td>
			<td>ground electrode</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>disposable monopolar needles 28 G</td>
			<td>Technomed</td>
			<td>202270-000</td>
			<td>cathode and anode stimulating electrodes- recording electrodes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EMG needle cable (Amp/stim switch box)</td>
			<td>Cadwell</td>
			<td>190266-200</td>
			<td>to connect monopolar electrodes to electrodiagnostic stimulator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Helping Hands alligator clip with iron base</td>
			<td>Radio Shack</td>
			<td>64-079</td>
			<td>Maintaining recording electrode placement&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane (250 mL bottle)</td>
			<td>Piramal Healthcare</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>monoject curved tip irrigating syringe</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>81412012</td>
			<td>utilized for application of electrode gel</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PhysioSuite Physiological Monitoring System with RightTemp Homeothermic Warming</td>
			<td>Kent Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>PS-RT</td>
			<td>Includes infrared warming pad, rectal probe, and pad temperature probe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pro trimmer Pet Grooming Kit</td>
			<td>Oster</td>
			<td>078577-010-003</td>
			<td>clippers for hair removal</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Saporin (SAP)</td>
			<td>Advanced Targeting Systems</td>
			<td>PR-01</td>
			<td>Utilized for intrapleural injection (control agent when injected by itself)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sierra Summit EMG system</td>
			<td>Cadwell Industries, Inc., Kennewick, WA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>portable electrodiagnostic system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SomnoSuite Low-Flow Digital Anesthesia System</td>
			<td>Kent Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>SOMNO</td>
			<td>Includes anti-spill, anti-vapor bottle top adapter; Y adapter tubing; charcoal scavenging filter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sprague-Dawley rat</td>
			<td>Envigo colony 208a, Indianapolis, IN</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Veterinarian petroleum-based ophthalmic ointment&#160;</td>
			<td>Puralube</td>
			<td>26870</td>
			<td>applied during anesthesia to avoid corneal injury</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

assessing rat diaphragm motor unit connectivity outcome measures as quantitative biomarkers of phrenic motor neuron degeneration and compensation

Loss of ventilatory muscle function is a consequence of motor neuron injury and neurodegeneration (e.g., cervical spinal cord injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, respectively). Phrenic motor neurons are the final link between the central nervous system and muscle, and their respective motor units (groups of muscle fibers innervated by a single motor neuron) represent the smallest functional unit of the neuromuscular ventilatory system. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP), single motor unit potential (SMUP), and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) are established electrophysiological approaches that enable the longitudinal assessment of motor unit integrity in animal models over time but have mostly been applied to limb muscles. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to describe an approach in preclinical rodent studies that can be used longitudinally to quantify the phrenic MUNE, motor unit size (represented as SMUP), and CMAP, and then to demonstrate the utility of these approaches in a motor neuron loss model. Sensitive, objective, and translationally relevant biomarkers for neuronal injury, degeneration, and regeneration in motor neuron injury and diseases can significantly aid and accelerate experimental research discoveries to clinical testing.

Author Spotlight: Studying Neuromuscular Responses and Motor Neuron Plasticity in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Assessing Rat Diaphragm Motor Unit Connectivity Outcome Measures as Quantitative Biomarkers of Phrenic Motor Neuron Degeneration and Compensation

We're interested in understanding normal and maladaptive responses of the neuromuscular system in the context of health, aging, and disease. Specifically, we are aiming to investigate how the respiratory motor system responds to motor neuron losses through compensatory mechanisms such as collateral sprouting. Currently, various laboring techniques, such as retrograde tracers, adenoviruses, and immunohistochemistry have been utilized to quantify the number of innervating motor neurons in rodent degenerative models.Labeling techniques, though valuable for motor neuron evaluations, have limitations in assessing the functionality of motor units and are not suitable for longitudinal assessments. The MUNE technique is a non-invasive approach in preclinical rodent studies that can be used longitudinally to quantify the phrenic motor units. Implementing the MUNE protocol has the potential to significantly aid and accelerate experimental research discoveries toward clinical testing, particularly in non-invasively and longitudinally assessing neuromuscular impairment of the phrenic nerve and diaphragm muscle.Our eclectic lab group focuses on investigating neuromuscular function in health and preclinical models of neurodegenerative disease. We are striving to utilize translational techniques to better understand whether underlying mechanisms of plasticity can be harnessed and adapted to preserve respiration to improve the quality of life in patients with neurodegenerative disease.

The CMAP, SMUP, and MUNE techniques outlined in this report enable the recording of neuromuscular function in the diaphragm muscle employing minimally invasive electrode placement (Figure 1). The parameters of amplitude and area can be employed to characterize the supramaximal CMAP size, providing an overall measure of muscle group output (Figure 2). However, in our current methods, we rely on amplitude to quantify both CMAP and SMUP sizes. CMAP, SMUP, and MUNE ...

Read this Scientific Article Protocol about Assessing Rat Diaphragm Motor Unit Connectivity Outcome Measures as Quantitative Biomarkers of Phrenic Motor Neuron Degeneration and Compensation at JoVE.co

In this study, we present an in vivo method for estimating motor unit number and size to quantify rat diaphragm motor unit connectivity. A step-by-step approach to these techniques is described.

Loss of ventilatory muscle function is a consequence of motor neuron injury and neurodegeneration (e.g., cervical spinal cord injury and amyotrophic ...

assessing-rat-diaphragm-motor-unit-connectivity-outcome-measures-as

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Electrode Placement to Record Neuromuscular Function in Rat Diaphragm Muscle

To begin, position the anesthetized and prepared rat for compound muscle action potential recording. Place the active needle electrode subcutaneously over the midclavicular line, inferior to the last rib border. Then, position the reference needle electrode subcutaneously at the angle between the xiphoid process and the last sternocostal cartilage.Next, use a pair of 28-gauge monopolar needle electrodes for phrenic nerve stimulation at the carotid sheath. Place the electrode subcutaneously on the lateral neck between the anterior and middle scalene muscles, with a separation of about one centimeter. Confirm that the placement of the stimulating needles is at the level below the fourth cervical vertebrae.Then, place a disposable surface electrode on the tail for the ground electrode.

Quantifying Rat Diaphragm Motor Unit Connectivity Using Electrophysiology

To begin, prepare and position the anesthetized rat for electrophysiology. Apply monophasic cathartic square wave pulses to stimulate the phrenic nerve for recording CMAP responses. Increase the stimulus intensity progressively until the amplitude of the response ceases to increase.Then, raise the stimulus intensity to approximately 120%of the level required for a maximal response to ensure super maximal stimulation and record an additional response. Measure and document the peak-to-peak amplitudes of the CMAP in millivolts. Administer submaximal stimulation with a duration of 0.1 milliseconds at a frequency of 1 hertz.Gradually increase the intensity in 0.03 milliampere increments to elicit incremental responses until a minimal all or none response is achieved. Then, acquire the initial response with a stimulus intensity ranging between 2 and 10 milliamperes. After saving the first incremental response, acquire additional increments with progressively higher stimulus intensities in increments of 0.03 milliamperes.Ensure that the initial negative peak of the incremental responses aligns temporally with the negative peak of the maximal CMAP response. Given the diaphragm's involvement in respiration, check for stability and absence of fractionation in each incremental response to confirm consistency across three duplicate responses. Observe incremental responses in real time and overlay them on previous recordings for visual distinction.Then, confirm that the increment amplitude is at least 25 microvolts. After recording 10 incremental responses, verify that the amplitude of each increment does not exceed 1/3rd of the total amplitude of the final response. To estimate the average amplitude of the SMUP, average the values of 10 increments.Next, divide the maximum CMAP amplitude by the average SMUP amplitude to determine the MUNE. Seven days after intrapleural CTB-SAP injection, MUNE decreased to 60 functional motor units in adult rats compared to 74 in control rats. CMAP amplitude remained relatively stable, suggesting collateral sprouting as a possible compensatory mechanism.Diaphragm CMAP, SMUP and MUNE were measured over 28 days post-injection. CMAP showed no notable change. The average increase in SMUP for CTB-SAP rats was approximately 50 to 60%The changes were significant over time and attributed to CTB-SAP.MUNE was reduced by approximately 40%in CTB-SAP rats, indicating significant effects of time in CTB-SAP treatment.

144 Views.  University of Missouri.  In this study, we present an in vivo method for estimating motor unit number and size to quantify rat diaphragm motor unit connectivity. A step-by-step approach to these techniques is described. 

Quantifying Phrenic Motor Unit Function in Rodent Models of Neurodegeneration

Summary