Challenges in computerized MUAP analysis.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews that conventional quantitative motor unit action potential (MUAP) analysis is an investigation technique that compares mean MUAP duration and amplitude with healthy controls matched for age. It discusses that the MUAP analysis has evolved from manually measuring the basic parameters of the MUAP, reflecting its morphology to measuring the stability of the MUAP at consecutive discharges and determination of its firing pattern (FP). Most modern computerized MUAP analysis systems (CMAS) offer high quality recordings with good audio and visual feedback, and automatic extraction of MUAPs and measurement of relevant parameters. The chapter also discusses that in more advanced CMAS, where the detection of MUAPs is based on the criteria for a valid MUAP, such as minimum amplitude or maximal rise time, some valid MUAPs may remain undetected. This is often experienced with the clinic-based commercial equipment by observing small MUAPs on the oscilloscope screen that are undetected and left out of the analysis. This leads to difficulty in quantitatively documenting a myopathy from a MUAP analysis.

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