Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of gender on sensory and cognitive information processing in children by analyzing auditory event-related potentials (ERPs). The major questions were: (1) do ERPs differ between girls and boys aged 7-10years, (2) do gender differences in ERPs depend on the development with age, on task-processing demands, and on the development of neuroelectric networks as reflected by the spontaneous EEG? ⋯ This study provides evidence for accelerated neuroelectric (as reflected by spontaneous EEG), neurofunctional (as reflected by auditory ERPs), and neurocognitive (as reflected by learning performance) development in 7- to 10-year-old girls than boys.
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Electrical low-frequency stimulation (LFS) of cutaneous afferents evokes long-term depression (LTD) of nociception. In vitro studies suggest a sole homosynaptic effect on the conditioned pathway. The present study addresses homotopy of LTD in human nociception and pain. ⋯ Homotopy is probably due to a homosynaptic effect at first nociceptive synapse, but descending inhibitory systems may also be involved. These experiments may help to judge the potency of LTD for future therapy in chronic pain.
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Although laser stimuli activate both Adelta- and C-fibres, the corresponding laser evoked potentials (LEPs) remain restricted to the Adelta-fibre input. Previous studies found C-LEPs after limb stimulation only in subjects with block or clinical impairment of Adelta-fibres. In this study, we aimed at verifying whether in the trigeminal territory the impairment of Adelta-fibres unmasks the C-LEP. ⋯ In clinical studies using the standard laser pulses to evoke the Adelta-LEPs, the finding of absent signals does not indicate a concomitant impairment of C-fibres.
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We studied the involvement of motor neuron groups innervating paraspinal muscles in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and evaluated the value of paraspinal muscle EMG in the diagnosis of the disease. ⋯ Our observations emphasize the value of paraspinal muscle EMG in the electrophysiological diagnosis of ALS.
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This study tested the hypothesis that increased activity in the pupilloconstrictor nucleus by the addition of ambient light and by the administration of fentanyl, sufficient to block pupillary reflex dilation, constricts the pupil of anesthetized patients. ⋯ This study does not support the hypothesis that opioid effects on the human pupil are brought about by a direct excitatory action on the pupilloconstrictor nucleus.