Objectives: The objectives of this activity are to review the development of the understanding of electricity, the physiology of nerve and muscle tissue, and the origins of the use of earlier equipment in the study and treatment of normal and abnormal human neuro-physiology. Early experiments with electricity are discussed. The recognition of the relationship between electrical stimulation of nerve and the contraction of its muscle is reviewed. The important contributions by Duchenne are stressed. These contributions acted as a stimulus to further investigations of electrophysiology and the development of electrodiagnostic studies in humans. The rapid increase in the understanding and evaluation of human disease are discussed, particularly the contributions of key investigators in the 20th century.

This monograph was originally published in 1995.

The authors have no conflicts to disclose.

This monograph was reviewed by the 2023-2024 Monograph Committee. Disclosures have been resolved according to ACCME standards.