Motor Unit Action Potentials

Motor Unit Action Potentials (MUAPs) are electrical signals produced when a single motor neuron in the nervous system activates a group of muscle fibers it controls. When the neuron fires, all fibers it connects to contract simultaneously, generating a recognizable electrical pattern. These signals can be measured with special electrodes to assess muscle and nerve health. MUAPs provide important information about how well nerves and muscles are working together, helping diagnose conditions like nerve damage or muscle disorders. They are fundamental to understanding neuromuscular function in both clinical and research settings.