Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
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To investigate the effects of mexiletine, an analog of lidocaine, on excitability of human axons in vivo. ⋯ Measurements of the excitability indices can be used for non-invasive assessment and monitoring of the effects of mexiletine in patients with neuropathic pain or muscle cramps.
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Comparative Study
Stroke affects the coordination and stabilization of head, thorax and pelvis during voluntary horizontal head motions performed in walking.
This study was conducted to investigate and compare the coordination and stabilization of axial segments during walking with and without horizontal voluntary head turns, in healthy (n=5) and hemiparetic (n=10) subjects. ⋯ The findings suggest that: (1) head rotations during walking modify axial segment coordination in a direction-specific manner, (2) the pelvic rotations associated with locomotion remained unaffected by head rotations and (3) stroke alters this coordination behavior, which may contribute to balance dysfunctions during locomotion.
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Comparative Study
Prediction of 'awakening' and outcome in prolonged acute coma from severe traumatic brain injury: evidence for validity of short latency SEPs.
To evaluate the prognostic value of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) considering both 'awakening' and disability. ⋯ Differently from post-anoxic, in post-traumatic coma the presence of normal SEPs has a favourable predictive value both for 'awakening' and disability. We think that in literature enough attention has still not been paid to this finding.
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Clinical Trial
Quantitative continuous EEG for detecting delayed cerebral ischemia in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) due to vasospasm is often undetected by clinical exam in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The purpose of this study was to identify quantitative EEG (qEEG) parameters that are most sensitive and specific for the detection of DCI in stuporous or comatose SAH patients. ⋯ Following ADRs may allow earlier detection of DCI and initiation of interventions at a reversible stage, thus preventing infarction and neurological morbidity.
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In spinal cord injured (SCI) subjects, exaggerated withdrawal reflexes associated with a dominant flexor pattern irrespective of stimulation site have been reported. In the present study, withdrawal reflex receptive field (RRF) was determined in complete SCI subjects (N=9). ⋯ The study improves the understanding of spinal reflex control in spinal intact and spinal cord injured subjects.