MUNE
Pronunciation: MYOON
Also written as: MUNE — Motor Unit Number Estimation
Motor unit number estimation; electrophysiological technique used to quantify the number of functioning motor units in a muscle.
Full Definition
Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) is a specialized electrophysiological technique that provides an indirect assessment of motor neuron loss by estimating the number of functioning motor units innervating a specific muscle. The procedure involves recording compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) and surface motor unit potentials to calculate motor unit numbers and sizes. MUNE is particularly valuable in monitoring disease progression in conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, and other motor neuron disorders. Various MUNE techniques exist, including incremental stimulation, multiple point stimulation, and statistical methods, each with specific advantages and limitations in clinical and research applications.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out on first use in documents; acronym acceptable thereafter.
In Context
- "MUNE demonstrated a 40% reduction in motor unit number compared to normative values." — Electrophysiology report
- "Serial MUNE studies revealed progressive motor unit loss over the 12-month follow-up period." — Research paper