Testing neuromuscular electrical stimulation as an adjuvant therapy for muscle aging and muscle disease
Principal Investigator: Clarissa Henry, UMaine School of Biology and Ecology
Partners: Karissa Tilbury, UMaine Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Abstract: Proper development and homeostasis of skeletal muscle tissue is vital for health of vertebrate animals throughout their lifespan. Skeletal muscle function enables posture, breathing, and locomotion; and also impacts systemic processes – such as metabolism, thermoregulation, and immunity. Muscle is a highly adaptable tissue, as evidenced by increased muscle cell size and/or number in response to weight bearing exercise. Conversely, muscle wasting can occur during aging (sarcopenia), cancer (cancer cachexia), extended hospital stays (disuse atrophy), and in genetic diseases such as muscular dystrophies. Muscle wasting negatively affects quality of life and health span. Given the variety of conditions that can cause muscle wasting, it is important to identify therapies that could combat muscle wasting regardless of its etiology. Weight bearing exercise immediately comes to mind given that exercise increases muscle health strength. However, exercise is sometimes not feasible in the context of the above diseases. The purpose of this project is to test whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NEMS) can be used as a proxy for exercise to improve neuromuscular strength in muscle aging and muscle disease.