This study will investigate problems with muscle weakness and control using electromyography-a test of nerve-muscle cell communication. Advanced techniques called single fiber electromyography and macro-electromyography, which evaluate individual muscle fibers, will be used. Besides aiding in diagnosis, these tests provide information about disease progression that may be useful in guiding therapy.

Adult patients with suspected neurological disorders of muscle control and weakness may be eligible for this study. Normal volunteers may also participate. For the electromyography procedure, a special needle is inserted into a muscle. The patient will slightly tense the muscle and maintain the tension while electrical signals from the muscle fibers are being recorded. The electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker, providing feedback to help the patient tense the muscle the appropriate amount. The test, which is usually done for only one muscle, takes 1 to 2 hours. If needed, short breaks can be taken.

If the patient cannot maintain tension in the muscle for the entire test period, a nerve will be stimulated to activate the muscle. A thin needle is inserted near the nerve, and a series of small electrical shocks are given to activate a nerve fiber. The electromyography needle is inserted into the muscle to measure the response, as described above.

A neurologist receiving specialized training in clinical neurophysiology will do the electromyography procedure under the direct supervision of an experienced neurologist.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention
Healthy Neuromuscular Disease Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome	Procedure: Electromyography

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  30

This is a training protocol to enable fellows in clinical neurophysiology to learn and perform technically advanced electrodiagnostic studies, such as single fiber EMG and macro EMG, on patients with neuromuscular diseases.

Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Adult patients with weakness or motor dysfunction: 8/year.
Normal volunteers, adults: 2/year.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Anticoagulation or uncorrected bleeding disorder.
Children are not optimal subjects for fellows undergoing training in these techniques and will be excluded.

Maryland
      National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), 9000 Rockville Pike,  Bethesda,  Maryland,  20892,  United States; Recruiting

Study ID Numbers:  000072; 00-N-0072
Record last reviewed:  December 10, 2003
Last Updated:  December 10, 2003
Record first received:  February 4, 2000
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00004553
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-01-21