[Age-related changes in amplitude ratio, duration ratio and area ratio in nerve conduction studies]

Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. 1995 Aug-Sep;32(8-9):547-52. doi: 10.3143/geriatrics.32.547.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We investigated the effect of aging on nerve conduction parameters in 184 subjects (aged 10-75 years) without any history or signs of peripheral neuropathy, in order to clarify the diagnostic parameters of demyelinating neuropathies in the aged. The CMAP amplitude ratio (proximal CMAP/distal CMAP), duration ratio and area ratio remained unchanged throughout the second to eighth decades. The lower limits of normal CMAP amplitude ratio (mean -3SD) were 0.79 (median nerve), 0.74 (ulnar nerve), 0.59 (peroneal nerve), and 0.48 (tibial nerve). The upper limits of normal CMAP duration ratio (mean 11+ 3SD) were 1.22 (median nerve), 1.19 (ulnar nerve), 1.35 (peroneal nerve), and 1.32 (tibial nerve). The lower limits of normal CMAP area ratio (mean -3SD) were 0.84 (median nerve), 0.78 (ulnar nerve), 0.61 (peroneal nerve), and 0.62 (tibial nerve). There were no age-related changes in amplitude ratio or duration ratio of SNAP, although the standard deviations increased with age. Since the amplitude ratio, duration ratio and area ratio are simple and age-independent, they can provide useful and reliable information for routine nerve conduction studies for aged patients with demyelinating neuropathies.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Child
  • Demyelinating Diseases / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscles / physiology
  • Muscles / physiopathology
  • Neural Conduction*
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiology*
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiopathology