P28-S Involvement of lower motor neurons in Parkinson’s Disease reflected in MUNE method

Lower motoneuron degeneration are not among the characteristic features of Parkinson’s disease(PD), although there are single studies considering the peripheral neuron involvement in PD as a continuum of degenerative process. The aim of our study was to find out if possible lower motor neuron involvement in PD is reflected with the MUNE method (motor unit number estimation). Material and methods 41 patients with PD (mean age 62.6 yrs; 51%M) were included. The control group consisted of 45 healthy volunteers. MUNE with multipoint incremental method was calculated in the abductor pollicis brevis (APB), the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and the extensor digitorum brevis (EDB). Results Significant difference in the number of motor units estimating by MUNE was found between groups aged 60 years or older in ADM comparing with control group (p Conclusions The loss of motor units in sporadic Parkinson’s disease revealed by the multipoint incremental MUNE method may be considered as a sign of lower motor neuron involvement and a feature of generalized neurodegeneration.