Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
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To use the R2 component of nociceptive-specific blink reflex (nBR) to probe the trigeminal nociceptive system and compare chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) patients and healthy controls. ⋯ These findings add further information to central nociceptive pathways in CTTH patients.
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Under rest condition, beta-band (13-30Hz) activity in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is prominent in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, the beta-band coupling between STN and muscle activity, its distribution and relation to motor symptoms remains unclear. ⋯ The differential distribution of beta-band activity in the STN highlights the importance of a topographically distinct therapeutic modulation.
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Chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) affects 3% of the population. Directly and indirectly it causes high costs and considerable loss of quality of life. The mechanisms of this disorder are poorly understood and the treatment possibilities are therefore limited. The blink reflex (BR) reflects neuronal excitability due to nociceptive input in the brainstem. The aim of this study was to investigate nociceptive processing at the level of the brainstem in an experimental pain model of CTTH symptoms. ⋯ A combined homotopic and heterotopic effect of the conditioning pain onto the blink reflex could account for this finding.
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To determine the usefulness of stimulated skin wrinkling using EMLA and water immersion in detecting abnormal intraepidermal nerve fibre density. ⋯ Our study suggests that EMLA induced stimulated skin wrinkling is a useful alternative parameter for predicting abnormal intraepidermal nerve fibre density.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Selective modulation of intracortical inhibition by low-intensity Theta Burst Stimulation.
Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) is a repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation paradigm which has effects on both excitatory and inhibitory intracortical pathways when applied at an intensity of 80% of active motor threshold. As intracortical inhibitory pathways have a lower threshold for activation than excitatory pathways, we sought to determine whether it was possible to selectively target cortical inhibitory circuitry by reducing the intensity of TBS to 70% of active motor threshold. ⋯ These findings have important implications for the treatment of neurological disorders where abnormal levels of intracortical inhibition are present, such as Parkinson's disease and focal hand dystonia and requires further investigation.