Neurological research
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Neurological research · Jul 2000
Comparative StudyLong latency response of the mentalis muscle following transcranial magnetic stimulation with a circular coil in normal subjects.
Short latency response (SLR), middle latency response and long latency response (LLR) are elicited in facial muscles by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Although it has been said that the LLRs are elicited by the trigeminal nerve stimulation, a trigeminofacial reflex is recorded easily in normal subjects by the electrical stimulation in orbicularis oculi muscles as a blind reflex, but a trigeminal-facial reflex recorded in orbicularis oris, namely a snout reflex, is more difficult to record in normal subjects. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the LLR of lower facial muscles (mentalis muscle) by the transcranial magnetic stimulation, using a circular coil. ⋯ At this time the LLR of the masseter muscle was not recorded following this transmagnetic stimulation. It was suggested that the LLR of the mentalis muscle is recorded by the transcranial magnetic stimulation of the trigeminal nerve with a circular coil. The ease and reliability of their recording make it possible to apply this LLR clinically as well as a blink reflex.