Muscle spasms, problems walking, fatigue, slurred speech, and problems Of the signs and symptoms of both diseases include Worldwide, MS affects more than 2.3 million people, with about 10,000 newĬases diagnosed each year (that's about 200 new diagnoses per week). About 30,000 people in the US have ALS,Īnd an average of 5,000 new diagnoses per year (that's about 15 new cases per While MS occurs between 20-60 years of age, and mostly affects women. ALS occurs between 50-70 years of age (the averageĪge of occurrence ALS is 55), and mostly affects men. Scientists also theorize that multiple sclerosis may be caused by infection or They have discovered that mutations in the gene that produces the SOD1 enzyme were associated with some cases of familial ALS.

Scientists don't know the exact cause of either problem. System, although it's not considered an autoimmune disease by someĭisease in which the insulated covering of the nerves (myelin sheath) in the CNS (central nervous system) degenerate, or deteriorate. SLIDESHOW Muscle Cramps (Charley Horse) and Muscle Spasms See SlideshowĪLS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease) and MS (multiple sclerosis) are both diseases of the nervous system (neurodegenerative).ĪLS is a disease in which the nerve cells in the body are attacked by the immune Normal body temperature must be maintained for the NCV test, because low body temperatures slow nerve conduction. The NCV test can be used to detect true nerve disorders (such as neuropathy) or conditions whereby muscles are affected by nerve injury (such as carpal tunnel syndrome). A decreased speed of transmission indicates nerve disease. The distance between electrodes and the time it takes for electrical impulses to travel between electrodes are used to calculate the speed of impulse transmission (nerve conduction velocity). The resulting electrical activity is recorded by the other electrodes. One electrode stimulates the nerve with a very mild electrical impulse. This is usually done with surface patch electrodes (they are similar to those used for an electrocardiogram) that are placed on the skin over the nerve at various locations. In this test, the nerve is electrically stimulated while a second electrode detects the electrical impulse 'down-stream' from the first. What other test is done during an intramuscular EMG?Ī nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test is often done at the same time as an EMG.

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