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Repetitive nerve stimulation

Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) is an electrodiagnostic technique that assesses neuromuscular junction (NMJ) function by delivering repeated low-frequency electrical stimuli, typically at 2–5 Hz, to a motor nerve while measuring changes in the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) from the innervated muscle.^[1] A normal NMJ maintains stable CMAP responses despite repetitive stimulation due to a sufficient safety factor in acetylcholine release and receptor binding; however, disorders like myasthenia gravis (MG) produce a decremental response (≥10% CMAP reduction between the first and fourth or fifth stimuli), while presynaptic conditions such as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) may show facilitation with higher-frequency stimulation.^[2]^[3] RNS is used clinically to diagnose NMJ disorders such as MG and LEMS, often in conjunction with electromyography (EMG), and can reveal abnormalities in conditions like botulism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).^[1]^[4]

Overview

Definition and Purpose

Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) is a neurophysiological test that evaluates the integrity of neuromuscular transmission by delivering repeated electrical stimuli to a motor nerve and recording the resulting compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) from the innervated muscle.^[5] This electrodiagnostic technique assesses how effectively signals are transmitted across the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), helping to identify disruptions in this process.^[6] The primary purpose of RNS is to detect disorders affecting the NMJ, where abnormal responses—such as decremental patterns at low stimulation frequencies indicating postsynaptic defects or incremental patterns at high frequencies suggesting presynaptic issues—can signal underlying pathologies.^[5] It plays a key role in diagnosing conditions like myasthenia gravis, characterized by postsynaptic NMJ dysfunction, and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, which involves presynaptic impairment.^[6] By quantifying changes in CMAP amplitude during repetitive stimulation, RNS provides objective evidence of transmission efficiency, complementing clinical evaluations.^[5] Basic components of RNS include surface electrodes: one for stimulation placed over the motor nerve and recording electrodes—an active electrode over the belly of the target muscle and a reference electrode over its distal tendon.^[5] Stimulation is typically performed at low frequencies of 2 to 5 Hz to elicit potential decrements or at high frequencies of 20 to 50 Hz to observe facilitation, depending on the suspected disorder.^[6] As a non-invasive outpatient procedure, RNS usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes and is often integrated into broader electromyography (EMG) studies for comprehensive neuromuscular assessment.^[6] This approach allows for efficient evaluation in clinical settings without requiring hospitalization or invasive measures.^[5]

Historical Development

Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS), first described by Friedrich Jolly in 1895 as a test for muscle fatigue in myasthenia gravis using faradic stimulation, emerged as an electrodiagnostic tool in the early 20th century with the advent of electromyography, building on foundational nerve conduction studies from the 1930s and 1940s.^[7] The technique was first applied to myasthenia gravis (MG) diagnosis in 1935 by Donald B. Lindsley, who used repetitive electrical stimulation to demonstrate characteristic decremental responses in muscle action potentials.^[7] This approach was refined in 1941 by A.M. Harvey and R.L. Masland, who developed a standardized method involving supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve with recordings from the abductor digiti quinti muscle, establishing RNS as a reliable test for neuromuscular junction disorders.^[7]^[8] In the 1950s, Edward H. Lambert and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic advanced RNS significantly through their work on neuromuscular transmission disorders. Lambert's electromyographic studies identified distinctive RNS patterns, including low-amplitude compound muscle action potentials with marked increment at high-frequency stimulation, which became diagnostic hallmarks for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). Their seminal 1957 publication detailed these findings in patients with myasthenic syndromes associated with malignant tumors, solidifying RNS's role in distinguishing presynaptic from postsynaptic neuromuscular junction defects.^[9] By the 1960s, standardized low-frequency RNS protocols (2-5 Hz) were widely adopted for MG diagnosis, enhancing clinical reproducibility and sensitivity.^[7] Integration of RNS with needle electromyography (EMG) in the 1970s further embedded it within comprehensive electrodiagnostic evaluations, allowing simultaneous assessment of nerve, muscle, and junctional function.^[10] Advancements in the 1980s and 1990s shifted RNS toward digital recording systems, which improved signal accuracy, reduced artifacts, and enabled quantitative analysis of response amplitudes over analog methods.^[11] In the 2000s, automated software for RNS analysis emerged, facilitating consistent interpretation and higher throughput in clinical settings, as demonstrated in studies validating automated nerve conduction devices against traditional manual techniques.^[12] Modern guidelines from the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), including the 2001 practice parameter on RNS for MG and LEMS (reaffirmed in subsequent years), and the 2020 consensus statement on pediatric electrodiagnostic testing, have incorporated RNS protocols tailored for vulnerable populations such as children and intensive care unit patients, emphasizing safety and diagnostic yield.^[13]^[14]

Physiological Basis

Neuromuscular Junction Function

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized chemical synapse that connects the axon terminal of a lower motor neuron to a skeletal muscle fiber, facilitating the transmission of signals for voluntary muscle contraction. Anatomically, it consists of a presynaptic nerve terminal, a synaptic cleft approximately 50 nm wide, and a postsynaptic motor end plate on the muscle fiber surface. The presynaptic terminal contains synaptic vesicles filled with acetylcholine (ACh), the primary neurotransmitter, clustered at active zones opposite the postsynaptic folds. These vesicles, each holding about 5,000–10,000 ACh molecules, are poised for rapid release upon nerve stimulation.^[15] In normal transmission, an action potential propagating along the motor axon reaches the presynaptic terminal, depolarizing the membrane and opening voltage-gated calcium channels. This triggers calcium influx, which promotes the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane via SNARE proteins (such as syntaxin, SNAP-25, and synaptobrevin), leading to exocytosis and release of ACh into the synaptic cleft. The released ACh diffuses across the cleft in milliseconds and binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on the postsynaptic membrane, which are ligand-gated ion channels. This binding opens the channels, allowing influx of sodium and calcium ions, resulting in a localized depolarization known as the end-plate potential (EPP). The EPP, typically 40–50 mV in amplitude, propagates along the muscle fiber membrane to trigger voltage-gated sodium channels, generating a muscle action potential and subsequent contraction. Acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft rapidly hydrolyzes ACh to terminate the signal and prevent overstimulation.^[15]^[16] Key components of the NMJ include the presynaptic nerve terminal, which stores and releases ACh in vesicles; the synaptic cleft, where ACh diffuses and is degraded; and the postsynaptic region, characterized by high nAChR density (up to 10,000 per μm²) in junctional folds that amplify the signal through increased receptor surface area. These folds enhance the postsynaptic response by providing a larger area for ion channel activation and efficient current flow. Transmission relies on quantal release, where ACh is secreted in discrete packets or quanta from individual vesicles. Spontaneous release of single quanta produces miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs), small depolarizations of about 0.5–1 mV that occur randomly without stimulation. In contrast, a nerve impulse evokes the synchronous release of hundreds of quanta, generating the larger EPP. The safety factor for reliable transmission is defined as the ratio of EPP amplitude to the threshold required to initiate a muscle action potential, typically exceeding 3 (often 3–5) in healthy mammalian NMJs, ensuring consistent muscle activation even under physiological variability.^[15]^[17]^[18]

Mechanism of Repetitive Nerve Stimulation

Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) assesses the dynamic function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) by delivering electrical impulses to a motor nerve and recording the resulting compound muscle action potential (CMAP) from the innervated muscle. The protocol typically involves low-frequency stimulation at 2-5 Hz for 5-10 impulses to evaluate for fatigue, manifested as a decremental response in CMAP amplitude, or high-frequency stimulation at 20-50 Hz for 2-3 seconds to detect facilitation, an incremental response. These frequencies mimic physiological nerve firing rates and reveal defects in neurotransmitter release or receptor responsiveness that single stimuli might not uncover.^[5] The primary response measured is the amplitude of the CMAP, which represents the summated electrical activity of muscle fibers following nerve activation. In low-frequency RNS, a normal response shows less than 10% decrement in CMAP amplitude between the first (CMAP1) and fourth (CMAP4) stimuli, calculated as ( \text{CMAP1} - \text{CMAP4} ) / \text{CMAP1} \times 100\%. A decrement exceeding 10% indicates impaired NMJ transmission, while high-frequency or post-exercise protocols assess for an increase in CMAP amplitude greater than 100% from baseline, particularly in proximal muscles. These measurements are taken using surface electrodes, with the decrement or increment reflecting the efficiency of synaptic transmission under repetitive demand.^[5]^[13]^[19] Physiologically, low-frequency RNS elicits decremental responses due to depletion of acetylcholine (ACh) quanta in presynaptic disorders or reduced number or function of postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors in conditions like myasthenia gravis, leading to a lowered safety factor. In a normal NMJ, the presynaptic terminal maintains readily releasable vesicles of ACh, but repeated stimulation at 2-5 Hz can deplete the primary store (approximately 1,000 vesicles) faster than mobilization from secondary reserves (about 10,000 vesicles), where each impulse releases around 100-300 vesicles, leading to reduced ACh release if presynaptic function is compromised; postsynaptic defects exacerbate this by limiting receptor availability for binding. This rationale underscores RNS's sensitivity to NMJ fatigue, where the decrement quantifies the mismatch between ACh supply and demand.^[5] In contrast, facilitation during high-frequency RNS or after brief exercise arises from enhanced presynaptic ACh release, particularly in disorders like Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). High rates of stimulation (20-50 Hz) promote calcium influx through voltage-gated channels, accumulating intracellular calcium to mobilize additional vesicles and overcome initial release deficits caused by autoantibodies targeting these channels. This results in an incremental CMAP response as calcium reserves are recruited, improving transmission temporarily and distinguishing presynaptic from postsynaptic pathologies.^[5]^[20]

Clinical Applications

Indications

Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) is primarily indicated for the diagnosis of suspected neuromuscular junction (NMJ) disorders, including myasthenia gravis (MG), Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), botulism, congenital myasthenic syndromes, and organophosphate poisoning.^[5] RNS may also detect abnormalities in conditions like botulism recovery or early amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involving facial muscles, though not diagnostic-specific.^[4] In MG, an autoimmune postsynaptic NMJ disorder, RNS serves as a confirmatory electrophysiological test, particularly in patients presenting with fatigable muscle weakness, ptosis, diplopia, or bulbar symptoms such as dysphagia or dysarthria.^[13]^[5] For LEMS, a presynaptic autoimmune disorder often paraneoplastic, RNS is recommended when proximal limb weakness, autonomic symptoms like dry mouth, or hyporeflexia are noted.^[13]^[5] Botulism, caused by Clostridium botulinum toxin, warrants RNS in cases of acute descending flaccid paralysis with prominent bulbar involvement and absent fever.^[5] Congenital myasthenic syndromes, genetic presynaptic or postsynaptic defects, are evaluated with RNS in pediatric patients with lifelong fatigable weakness unresponsive to typical MG therapies.^[5] Organophosphate poisoning, from cholinesterase inhibition, indicates RNS in acute cholinergic crisis with fasciculations, miosis, and respiratory failure.^[5] RNS is typically employed after initial clinical evaluation, including history and physical exam, and serological testing such as anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies for MG (positive in ~85% of generalized cases), to confirm NMJ dysfunction when antibody results are negative or equivocal.^[13]^[5] It is especially useful in atypical or seronegative presentations of MG, where early RNS can guide diagnosis before progression to generalized disease.^[13] For LEMS, RNS complements anti-voltage-gated calcium channel antibody testing.^[5] Targeted muscles for RNS vary by condition to optimize diagnostic yield: in MG, facial muscles such as the orbicularis oculi or hand intrinsics like the abductor digiti minimi are preferred due to higher sensitivity; in LEMS, proximal limb muscles such as the extensor digitorum brevis or trapezius are selected to detect characteristic facilitation.^[13]^[5] These indications are supported by American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) practice parameters, which recommend RNS on symptomatic muscles for NMJ evaluation, with reported sensitivities of 70-85% in generalized MG (e.g., 71.6% in a 2023 study) and 90-98% for characteristic findings in LEMS, depending on stimulation frequency and cutoff values.^[13]^[2] Recent literature as of 2025 reinforces its role in early atypical MG diagnosis, aligning with updates emphasizing electrophysiological confirmation in seronegative cases.^[21]^[2]

Contraindications and Precautions

Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) is generally considered safe, with adverse events occurring in less than 1% of cases, primarily consisting of transient muscle soreness or rare vasovagal responses.^[22]^[5] Absolute contraindications to RNS include active skin infection at the stimulation site, as needle electrode insertion or surface stimulation through infected skin carries a risk of spreading infection, with rare cases of bacterial contamination reported in electrodiagnostic procedures.^[22] Pacemaker dependence requires caution if the device uses unipolar sensing, with cardiologist consultation recommended to assess interference risk; it is not an absolute contraindication, as modern bipolar pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are generally safe, though device interrogation may be advised if needed.^[5]^[23] Relative contraindications encompass bleeding disorders, where the risk of minor bruising or hematoma from electrode placement increases, particularly in patients on anticoagulants (hematoma incidence approximately 1.35% versus 0.61% in those on antiplatelets alone).^[22] Severe edema or preexisting neuropathy at the testing site may also be relative contraindications, as they can obscure responses or heighten the risk of local complications like cellulitis in areas of taut skin.^[22] Precautions include avoiding RNS in patients with known cardiac arrhythmias if external pacing wires or intravascular catheters are present, to prevent conduction of current to the heart.^[5] Discomfort from electrical shocks is common but mild and transient; patients should be monitored for pain or vasovagal reactions, which can occur due to procedural stress.^[5] In pediatric patients, no specific contraindications exist, but sedation may be considered for young children to minimize movement and ensure cooperation during the test.^[22] For pregnant individuals, RNS carries low risk and is classified as safe with no known contraindications or harm to the fetus, as confirmed by electrodiagnostic guidelines.^[22]

Performing the Test

Patient Preparation

Prior to undergoing repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS), patients are instructed to arrive rested, hydrated, and having eaten a normal meal, as no fasting is required.^[24] In cases of suspected myasthenia gravis, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as pyridostigmine should be discontinued at least 12 hours before the test per standard guidelines, though some practices recommend 24 hours if clinically safe, to avoid interference with neuromuscular transmission assessment.^[5]^[13] Patients are also informed in detail about the procedural steps and potential mild discomfort from electrical stimulation to minimize anxiety.^[5] The skin at stimulation and recording sites is prepared by cleaning with alcohol pads after the patient has acclimated in the testing room for approximately 20 minutes and the target limbs have been warmed to 32-35°C using blankets or a temperature-controlled environment, as cooler temperatures can artifactually improve neuromuscular transmission and lead to false-negative results.^[5] Equipment setup involves calibrating the electrical stimulator to deliver supramaximal stimuli, typically at intensities that produce a maximal compound muscle action potential followed by a 10-20% increase, with pulse durations of 0.05-0.2 ms to ensure consistent nerve activation without discomfort.^[1] Nerves and muscles are selected based on clinical suspicion, such as the ulnar nerve stimulating the abductor digiti minimi muscle for evaluating hand involvement in suspected myasthenia gravis.^[25] Informed consent is obtained after explaining the test's purpose, risks, and benefits, following standard electrodiagnostic protocols.^[13] The patient is positioned supine or seated comfortably on an examination table, with limbs relaxed and immobilized if necessary using padded bolsters or braces to prevent movement artifacts.^[5]

Procedure Details

The repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) test begins with precise electrode placement to ensure accurate stimulation and recording of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs). For stimulation, bipolar surface electrodes are positioned over the motor nerve, with the cathode placed proximal to the anode, typically 2-3 cm apart, to deliver supramaximal electrical pulses without anodal block.^[26]^[5] Recording electrodes consist of an active surface electrode placed over the muscle belly at the motor point for a sharp initial negative deflection, and a reference electrode positioned over the distal tendon where electrical activity is minimal.^[5]^[1] Common sites include the ulnar nerve at the wrist stimulating the abductor digiti minimi or the facial nerve below the ear for orbicularis oculi recording.^[13] The low-frequency stimulation protocol evaluates for CMAP decrement and involves delivering 5-10 supramaximal pulses at 3-5 Hz for 2-3 seconds, repeated three times with 1-minute intervals between trains to allow recovery.^[5]^[13] The baseline CMAP amplitude is first established with single shocks, and decrement is measured as the percentage change between the first and fourth (or fifth) responses in each train, with multiple trials averaged for reliability.^[5]^[1] For high-frequency or exercise protocols, which assess for facilitation, supramaximal stimulation is applied at 20-50 Hz for 2 seconds, or the patient performs a 10-second maximal isometric contraction of the target muscle followed immediately by low-frequency RNS.^[5]^[13] Facilitation is quantified as an increase in CMAP amplitude exceeding 100% compared to baseline, with recordings taken immediately post-stimulation and at intervals up to 5 minutes.^[5] Technical considerations are essential for valid results: stimulation intensity is set to 20% above the level producing maximal CMAP to ensure consistent nerve activation, muscle temperature is maintained at approximately 35°C to avoid confounding effects, and the limb is immobilized to minimize movement artifacts.^[5]^[27] Trials are averaged across repetitions, and the entire procedure typically lasts 20-45 minutes, depending on the number of nerves tested.^[5]^[28] Variations in testing include starting with distal sites (e.g., hand or foot muscles) for patient comfort and progressing to proximal muscles (e.g., trapezius or deltoid) if initial results are inconclusive, as proximal sites may yield higher sensitivity.^[13]^[5] Single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) may serve as an adjunct for more precise evaluation if RNS is equivocal.^[13]

Interpretation

Normal Responses

In healthy individuals, low-frequency repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) at rates of 2-5 Hz, typically 3 Hz, elicits minimal variation in compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, with a normal decrement of less than 10% when comparing the first to the fourth or fifth response; values are often in the range of 0-5% or up to 8% in some muscles.^[29]^[10] Waveform morphology remains stable, with no significant changes in duration or configuration, reflecting intact neuromuscular transmission safety margins.^[5] For high-frequency RNS at rates of 20-50 Hz, normal responses show no significant CMAP decrement and may exhibit a slight physiological increment of up to 25-40% due to pseudofacilitation, arising from enhanced muscle fiber conduction velocity and synchrony, without post-activation exhaustion.^[30]^[10] According to American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) standards, this increment remains below levels indicative of pathology, such as those exceeding 100% in certain disorders.^[29] Post-exercise testing, following brief maximal isometric contraction (e.g., 10 seconds), typically produces a transient CMAP amplitude increase of up to 40-50% in normal subjects, attributed to temporary mobilization of acetylcholine vesicles and calcium-dependent enhancements in release; this facilitation resolves within minutes and does not persist.^[30]^[10] Several factors can influence these normal patterns. Age may lead to a slight increase in decrement (approaching the 10% threshold in the elderly), though criteria remain consistent across adults.^[29] Lower temperatures (below 35°C) can artifactually exacerbate decrement by slowing conduction, necessitating warming to standardize results.^[5] Muscle site affects stability, with distal muscles (e.g., abductor digiti minimi or abductor pollicis brevis in the hand) showing more consistent responses and less variability than proximal ones (e.g., deltoid), per AANEM quantitative criteria of <10% decrement at 3 Hz specifically for hand muscles.^[29]^[31]

Abnormal Findings

Abnormal findings in repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) primarily manifest as deviations in compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude during low- or high-frequency stimulation, reflecting underlying defects in neuromuscular transmission.^[32] A decremental response, defined as a greater than 10% reduction in CMAP amplitude from the first to the fourth or fifth response during low-frequency stimulation (2-5 Hz), is the hallmark of postsynaptic neuromuscular junction disorders such as myasthenia gravis (MG), where acetylcholine receptor blockade or destruction impairs signal transmission.^[33] This decrement often improves after brief rest or with edrophonium administration, distinguishing it from other causes, and is most reliably detected in proximal muscles like the deltoid or trapezius.^[34] In contrast, an incremental response occurs with high-frequency stimulation (20-50 Hz), showing a greater than 100% increase in CMAP amplitude, which typically fades after stimulation ceases; this pattern indicates presynaptic defects, as seen in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) or botulism, due to impaired acetylcholine release that temporarily enhances with calcium influx during rapid firing.^[35] Post-exercise facilitation, where CMAP amplitude rises more than 200% after brief maximal voluntary contraction, further supports LEMS diagnosis.^[36] Other abnormal patterns include a fixed low baseline CMAP amplitude without significant decrement or increment, which may overlap with axonal neuropathies, and rare repetitive discharges or myopathic changes that can mimic transmission defects but are distinguished by clinical context.^[32] Diagnostic thresholds for RNS vary by disorder: in generalized MG, sensitivity is approximately 75%, dropping to about 50% in ocular MG, while in LEMS, sensitivity approaches 100% when including high-frequency or post-exercise facilitation, with false positives in myopathies being uncommon (<5%).^[37] These findings must be correlated with clinical presentation, antibody testing (e.g., anti-AChR for MG, anti-VGCC for LEMS), and possibly repeat RNS if initial results are equivocal to enhance diagnostic accuracy.^[38]

Limitations and Complementary Tests

Limitations and Risks

Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) exhibits variable sensitivity and specificity, particularly in diagnosing myasthenia gravis (MG), with overall sensitivity ranging from 30% to 80% in generalized MG but dropping to 30-50% in mild or ocular forms due to subtle neuromuscular junction (NMJ) defects that may not produce detectable decrements.^[2]^[39] False negatives are common when testing rested muscles, as post-exercise exhaustion can enhance sensitivity by approximately 5-10% by unmasking latent transmission defects.^[40]^[41] The test's reliability is also operator-dependent, influenced by factors such as stimulus intensity, electrode placement, and muscle selection, which can lead to inconsistent results across labs.^[5] Common risks associated with RNS include mild discomfort from electrical stimulation, typically rated 2-4 on a 10-point pain scale, especially during high-frequency protocols, though most patients tolerate it well without long-term effects.^[42]^[5] Rare complications encompass minor bruising at electrode sites, transient anxiety from the procedure, or triggering of cardiac arrhythmias in susceptible individuals, particularly those with pacemakers or defibrillators, necessitating caution and monitoring.^[5]^[43] Several factors can confound RNS results, including medications such as beta-blockers, which may induce decremental responses mimicking NMJ disorders by impairing neuromuscular transmission.^[40] Technical artifacts, like electrode misplacement or suboptimal skin preparation, further reduce accuracy, while muscle temperature below 35°C can exacerbate false positives or negatives.^[5] RNS has notable gaps in diagnostic utility, showing reduced effectiveness in demyelinating neuropathies where conduction blocks or temporal dispersion can produce artifactual decrements, complicating differentiation from primary NMJ pathology.^[44] Older protocols in some laboratories, prior to widespread adoption of digital amplification and automated analysis in the 2020s, may introduce additional variability from analog signal noise.^[5] Ethical considerations include obtaining informed consent emphasizing potential discomfort, as well as addressing access inequities, where rural patients face barriers to specialized electrodiagnostic facilities, potentially delaying diagnosis.^[5]

Alternative Diagnostic Methods

Single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) serves as a highly sensitive alternative to repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) for detecting subtle defects in neuromuscular transmission, particularly in myasthenia gravis (MG) when RNS results are normal.^[13] SFEMG measures jitter, the variability in conduction time between two muscle fibers innervated by the same motor neuron, using a specialized needle electrode to record action potentials from individual fibers.^[45] It demonstrates abnormalities in 82-99% of MG cases, with sensitivity reaching up to 95% in generalized MG and nearly 100% when testing multiple muscles, making it especially useful for ocular or mild presentations where RNS sensitivity is lower (around 30-50%).^[13]^[46]^[2] However, SFEMG is more invasive, technically demanding, and operator-dependent, often requiring voluntary activation, which limits its use in young children or uncooperative patients.^[45] The ice pack test is a simple, non-invasive bedside method for evaluating ptosis in suspected ocular MG, involving application of an ice pack to the eyelid for 2-5 minutes to assess improvement in lid droop due to cold-enhanced NMJ function. It has a sensitivity of 80-95% and specificity of 80-98% for myasthenic ptosis, offering a safe alternative especially in settings without advanced electrodiagnostic capabilities.^[47] Antibody serology provides a non-invasive first-line screening option for confirming autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorders. In MG, anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies are detected in 80-90% of generalized cases and 50-70% of ocular MG, while anti-muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) antibodies identify about 50% of initially seronegative patients, particularly those with bulbar involvement.^[46]^[45] For Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), anti-voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies show high specificity and sensitivity (up to 90%), supporting diagnosis when combined with clinical features.^[48] These tests are prioritized over electrophysiologic methods due to their safety and accessibility, though negative results do not exclude disease, necessitating further evaluation in seronegative cases.^[46] The edrophonium (Tensilon) test, a pharmacological challenge involving intravenous administration of the short-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor edrophonium, was historically used to assess transient improvement in MG-related weakness, such as ptosis, with about 50% sensitivity in ocular MG.^[45] However, it has been largely replaced by antibody testing and safer alternatives due to risks including bradycardia, bronchospasm, and the need for cardiac monitoring; edrophonium was discontinued in the United States in 2018.^[49] Imaging and genetic testing complement electrodiagnostic approaches but do not directly assess neuromuscular transmission. Chest computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended to detect thymoma in 10-15% of MG patients or paraneoplastic causes in LEMS, such as small cell lung cancer.^[46] Genetic panels are employed for suspected congenital myasthenic syndromes, identifying mutations in genes like CHRNE, but these are not routine for acquired disorders.^[45] In clinical practice, RNS remains the preferred initial electrodiagnostic test for its speed and bedside applicability in symptomatic muscles, per American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) guidelines, while SFEMG is reserved for confirming subtle abnormalities.^[13] Antibody testing is advocated as the primary non-invasive screen, with imaging or genetics pursued based on subtype suspicion to guide management.^[46] This stepwise approach enhances diagnostic accuracy while minimizing patient burden.^[45]

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[30]
[PDF] Neuromuscular-junction-disease.pdf
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the anatomical site affected by myasthenia gravis (MG), Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), botulism ...
[31]
18 Repetitive Nerve Stimulation and Exercise Tests - Oxford Academic
The recording electrode may gradually slide away from the muscle belly, or the stimulating electrodes may slip from the nerve, causing subthreshold activation.
[32]
Electrophysiological study in neuromuscular junction disorders - PMC
RNS produces a decrement on 3-Hz stimulation in all muscles. Single-nerve stimulation produces repetitive CMAPs 6-10 milliseconds after the initial response, ...
[33]
Electrophysiological study in neuromuscular junction disorders
A decrement greater than 10% is accepted as abnormal and smooth progression of response amplitude train and reproducibility form the crux. In suspected LEMS ...
[34]
Electrophysiological evaluation of the neuromuscular junction - NIH
Dec 29, 2023 · If an abnormal decrement is found, the 10th amplitude never achieves the amplitude of the first response. Abnormality is considered when a ...
[35]
Literature review of the usefulness of repetitive nerve stimulation ...
The degree of increment needed for the diagnosis of LEMS is at least 25% but most accurate when greater than 100%. Abnormal jitter or impulse blocking are the ...
[36]
Lowering the cutoff value for increment increases the sensitivity for ...
Lowering the cutoff value for abnormal increment to 60% greatly increases sensitivity to diagnose LEMS without an overt loss in specificity.
[37]
The Electrodiagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis and the Lambert-Eaton ...
Abnormal repetitive nerve stimulation decrement in a hand or shoulder muscle is found in approximately 75% of patients with generalized MG but in less than 50 ...
[38]
Electrodiagnostic criteria for neuromuscular transmission disorders ...
Mar 7, 2025 · We recommend as minimal electrodiagnostic criteria for NMT disorders, either (a) 2 abnormal repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS), (b) 1 abnormal RNS and 1 ...
[39]
Sensitivity and specificity of repetitive nerve stimulation with lower ...
Jun 12, 2020 · RNS has an overall diagnostic sensitivity of 30% to 80% in generalized MG (GMG), decreasing with milder disease or in distal muscles. In ocular ...Abstract · INTRODUCTION · METHODS · DISCUSSIONMissing: limitations | Show results with:limitations
[40]
Neuromuscular junction disorders: mimics and chameleons
Repeat repetitive nerve stimulation after 60 s exercise of the tested muscle increases sensitivity by ~10%. In NMJ disorders, low-frequency repetitive nerve ...Missing: indications | Show results with:indications
[41]
A study of diagnostic yield, technical ease and patient discomfort of ...
Decrement exceeding 10% was considered abnormal. Patient's discomfort was assessed on a 0-5 scale and technical difficulty by the number of repetitions needed ...
[42]
Safety of repetitive nerve stimulation in patients with cardiac ...
Nov 8, 2012 · Although single stimulation has been shown to be safe in patients with implanted cardiac devices, data are nonexistent for repetitive nerve ...
[43]
Electrodiagnosis of Disorders of Neuromuscular Transmission
Apr 17, 2017 · The lack of attention to temperature requirements in repetitive nerve stimulation ... Decrement is defined as the percent change comparing the ...Needle Emg · General Principles · Quality Control In Rns...
[44]
Myasthenia Gravis Workup: Laboratory Tests, Radiography, CT, and ...
Dec 5, 2023 · Repetitive nerve stimulation · Post-exercise facilitation or repair of decrement, occurring for the first 2 minutes after tetanic contraction.
[45]
Diagnosis - Myasthenia Gravis (MG) - Diseases
Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) is commonly used, with 75% to 80% accuracy and is described above. · Single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) is a more sensitive ...
[46]
Diagnosis and Treatment of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome
Apr 5, 2024 · LEMS is a rare autoimmune disease of the NMJ that is characterized by the clinical triad of proximal muscle weakness, dysautonomia, and hyporeflexia.Missing: 1950s | Show results with:1950s
[47]
Why the Tensilon Test Is No Longer Used to Diagnose Myasthenia ...
Sep 3, 2018 · The Tensilon test is no longer used to diagnose myasthenia gravis (MG). In 2018 the FDA discontinued its use as a diagnostic test for MG.