Dystonia

Mov Disord. 2007 Jul 30;22(10):1436-43.

Short-term cortical plasticity in patients with dystonia: a study with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Gilio F, Suppa A, Bologna M, Lorenzano C, Fabbrini G, Berardelli A.

Department of Neurological Sciences and Neuromed Institute (IRCCS), University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) delivered at 5 Hz frequency and suprathreshold (RMT) intensity produces a progressive facilitation of motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude that outlasts the end of stimulation. This phenomenon is related to a short-term enhancement of cortical excitatory interneurones. In this study, we investigated whether 5 Hz-rTMS elicits similar MEP facilitation during stimulation and similar facilitatory after-effects in patients with upper limb dystonia and healthy subjects. Trains of 5, 10, and 20 stimuli were delivered at 120% RMT over the primary motor cortex with the subjects at rest. rTMS-trains were followed by single test stimuli delivered at various interstimulus intervals (0.5-10 s) at 120% RMT using a conditioning-test paradigm. Single conditioning stimuli were also delivered. The effects of suprathreshold 1 Hz-rTMS were also tested. The MEP amplitude during the course of the trains and of the test stimuli was measured. In control experiments, we investigated the role of the afferent inputs elicited by muscle twitches after ulnar nerve stimulation on the MEP amplitude. In patients and healthy subjects, MEP amplitude increased significantly during the course of 5 Hz-trains. In both groups the MEP facilitation outlasted the end of 5 Hz-rTMS, however the facilitatory after-effects were more pronounced and lasted longer in patients than in healthy subjects. MEP amplitudes during and after 1 Hz-rTMS remained unchanged. Ulnar nerve stimulation did not change the test MEP amplitude. We conclude that in patients with upper limb dystonia there is an abnormal recovery from MEP facilitation after suprathreshold 5 Hz-rTMS suggesting an abnormal pattern of short-term cortical plasticity.

Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult. 2007 Jul-Aug;(4):29-32.

Efficacy of dynamic magnetotherapy with modulation frequency 10Hz in the complex of spa rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy.

[Article in Russian]

Gurova NIu, Babina LM.

Abstract

Two groups of children with cerebral paralysis received combined therapy. Treatment of one of the groups included a course of magnetotherapy (AMO-ATOS unit, 10 Hz) according to the suboccipital-lumbar method, the other group was control (no magnetotherapy). The study of cliniconeurophysiological indices showed significantly higher efficacy of the therapeutic complex with a course of magnetotherapy. The highest beneficial effect was observed on bioelectrogenesis of the brain, rheoencephalographic parameters and clinical manifestation of muscular spasticity.

Cesk Pediatr. 1992 Aug;47(8):484-6.

Pulsed magnetic fields–their possibilities in pediatric neurology.

[Article in Czech]

Chvojka J.

Odd?lení pulzní magnetoterapie, nemocnice M?stec Králové.

Abstract

The author reviews information on the use of a pulsatile magnetic field with defined parameters in some child diseases of the CNS according to his experience assembled during the past five years. PMP was applied in 17 cases with spinal amyotrophy type M. Werdnig-Hoffman and in 16 cases with DMO. In both diseases treatment was previously only symptomatic. PMP frequencies of alpha EEG waves were used during application on the area of the head and a different frequency for whole body treatment focused on muscular dystonia. The author draws attention to the specificity of biotropic parameters of the applied magnetic field.

Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 1990;90(7):108-12.

Regional cerebral angiodystonia in the practice of a neuropathologist and therapist.

[Article in Russian]

Pokalev GM, Raspopina LA.

Altogether 108 patients with regional cerebral angiodystonia were examined using rheoencephalography, measurements of temporal and venous pressure and functional tests (nitroglycerin and bicycle ergometry). Three variants of abnormalities connected with regional cerebral angiodystonia were distinguished: dysfunction of the inflow, derangement of the venous outflow, and initial functional venous hypertonia. The patients were treated with nonmedicamentous therapy (electroanalgesia, magnetotherapy, iontotherapy).

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