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.