Mathematical Techniques for Neuromuscular Analysis

In the central nervous system, alpha-motor neurons play a key role in the chain that results in muscles producing force. A new non-invasive technique to measure the electrical activity involved with force production called High Density Surface Electromyography (HDsEMG) has been proven to be effective in providing novel clinical information on the way alpha-motor neurons control the muscles. This is important for the monitoring of the progression of certain neuromuscular disorders such as polio. The result of HDsEMG is, however, very difficult to interpret. In this paper we augment the usefulness of HDsEMG with automated mathematical techniques to aid the Motor Unit Number Estimation (MUNE) problem. Also, we create a stochastic model for the firing behavior of an alpha-motor neuron.