WS4.4. Overview of Muscle Membrane Excitability

The technique of muscle membrane excitability, as assessed by Bostock’s QTracs software, is explained along with its application and interpretation. This relatively new method has afforded an insight into many properties of normal and diseased muscle, including membrane polarization. The premise of the technique is that sarcolemmal excitability changes will alter the conduction velocity of spreading depolarization along the muscle membrane. The studies behind important influences such as and including age, muscle selection and serum K+ are discussed, and the results of application of technique to conditions such as inclusion body myopathy and myotonic dystrophy are reviewed.