Muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity is decreased in murine motor neuron disease.

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was examined in affected skeletal muscles of the wobbler mouse, a murine model in which denervation follows degeneration of spinal cord motoneurons. Average biceps brachii LDH activity was reduced at 7 and 15 but not at 3 postnatal weeks. These results demonstrate a progressive alteration in muscle energy metabolism in a natural model of motor neuron disease.