A neurophysiological approach to mirror movements in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

• Quantifying mirror activity in ALS patients can be readily achieved using a novel algorithm. • Increase of mirror activity seems to precede changes in other measures of motor function and transcallosal inhibition. • Further studies are warranted to evaluate the potential utility of this approach as a biomarker for ALS. To investigate mirror activity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, using a simple paradigm of signal quantification. Patients were asked to perform a brief isometric maximum contraction of the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) or tibialis anterior (TA) on one side, while relaxing the contralateral side of the body. Both sides were investigated. Signals were stored and analyzed offline, for quantification of electromyographic signal. Clinical signs of upper motor neuron (UMN) dysfunction, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the upper (UL) and lower limbs (LL), the ADM ipsilateral cortical silent period (iSP) and the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS) cognitive scale were also investigated. 42 ALS patients were included. In the 4 investigated muscles the amount of mirror activity was significantly higher than in the matched healthy group. The amount of mirror activity was similar between sides, but significantly higher in UL and LL with abnormal TMS results for ADM (p = 0.005) and TA (p = 0.002), as well as in UL with abnormal iSP values (p = 0.009). No association was found between mirror activity and clinical signs of UMN involvement. Mirror activity is a common phenomenon in ALS. Mirror activity intensity corresponds to the severity of UMN dysfunction, as measured by TMS, and probably derives from the abnormal transcallosal inhibition as mirrored by iSP abnormality. Mirror activity is increased in ALS and is associated with abnormal transcallosal inhibition and UMN dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]