Motoneurons, muscle weakness and motor performance in multiple sclerosis

type of intervention

Non-interventional: Cross-sectional single session(s)

recruitment status

Recruiting

region

NSW, WA

type of ms

Relapsing remitting MS

Brief Summary

In MS, muscle weakness is common and can affect everyday activities and quality of life. Impaired firing of spinal motor nerves (nerve fibres that activate limb muscles) may contribute to poor muscle function and movement in individuals living with MS. In these spinal motor nerves, special properties known as ‘persistent inward currents’ help them to fire, but without them only weak muscle contractions are possible.
This research uses grids of electrodes, stuck to the skin over your leg muscles to record electrical muscle activity during voluntary contractions. This technique is non-invasive and painless. The project will compare spinal motor nerve responses between individuals living with MS and healthy age-matched controls (Study 1), and determine whether these responses relate to physical function such as walking ability and standing from a chair (Study 2). Each study comprises one session lasting ~1.5 – 2.5 hours. Participants may participate in one or both studies.

Inclusion criteria

Males and females aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS who is in remission (at least 3 months since last relapse) and has been undergoing disease modifying treatments for at least 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

You must not have any other neurological, neuromuscular, immunological, cardiovascular, and metabolic conditions, be pregnant, be unable to safely engage in exercise.

Anticipated start date

Already started

Recruitment contacts

Contact Dr Christopher Latella, Edith Cowan University
Phone: (08) 6304 3637
Email: c.latella@ecu.edu.au

Further details

https://www.ecu.edu.au/newsroom/articles/news/research-helping-young-people-fight-ms-wins-funding

Region

WA

Ethics Approval

Yes

Last updated

3/08/2023

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