The motor unit in psychotic patients: a single fibre EMG study

Abstract

Single fibre EMG recording from extensor digitorum communis muscle is described in patients with psychotic illness. The fibre density, or average number of single muscle fibre action potentials belonging to the same motor unit within the uptake area of the electrode, was higher in the patient group than in normal controls. Increased jitter was occasionally seen. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity values were within the normal range. The results indicate that psychosis is associated with denervation and reinnervation by collateral sprouting.