Motoneuron loss is associated with sarcopenia

Drey M, Krieger B, Sieber C, Bauer J, Hettwer S, Bertsch T (2014)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association Elsevier

Book Volume: 15

Pages Range: 435-9

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2014.02.002

Abstract

Sarcopenia, age-related muscle wasting, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the affected individuals. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia is not yet fully understood. A multifactorial concept is currently favored. The reduced number of motor units as a potential mechanism of muscle mass loss is explored in the present study.This is a cross-sectional study.The participants were community-dwelling older adults.The participants were sarcopenic (75) and nonsarcopenic (74) according to the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People aged 65 to 94 years.The motor unit number index (MUNIX) of the hypothenar muscle was used to assess the number and size [motor unit size index (MUSIX)] of motor units.The participants with pathologic MUNIX and MUSIX (n = 23) are significantly more frequently sarcopenic (n = 17, P = .029) than nonsarcopenic (n = 6). The participants with pathologic MUNIX and MUSIX (n = 23) had significantly less muscle mass than the nonsarcopenic controls (P < .001). After adjusting for age and sex, only gait speed has shown no difference between the 2 groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient between MUSIX and the reciprocal value of MUNIX is 0.87 (P < .001).Sarcopenia induced by a small number of motoneurons can be identified by applying the MUNIX method to the hypothenar muscle. An enlargement of motor units because of motoneuron loss seems to preserve physical performance.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Drey Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie) Cornel Sieber Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie) Jürgen Bauer Medizinische Fakultät

Involved external institutions

Klinikum Nürnberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Drey, M., Krieger, B., Sieber, C., Bauer, J., Hettwer, S., & Bertsch, T. (2014). Motoneuron loss is associated with sarcopenia. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 15(6), 435-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2014.02.002

MLA:

Drey, Michael, et al. "Motoneuron loss is associated with sarcopenia." Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 15.6 (2014): 435-9.

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