Normal cortical excitability in Myoclonus-Dystonia — A TMS study

Objective

The aim of the present study is to investigate cortical excitability in patients with DYT 11 positive Myoclonus-Dystonia (M-D), using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Methods

Silent period, motor evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curve, short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF) and short interval intracortical facilitation (SICF), with short interstimulus intervals (ISIs) ranging from 1.2 to 3.2 ms, were studied in 15 DYT 11-positive M–D patients and their matched controls. In four patients and matched controls peripheral double pulse electrical nerve stimulation was performed.

Results

All TMS parameters of cortical excitability were normal compared to healthy controls. In the SICF protocol we observed more variable and polyphasic MEPs in M–D patients. Cross-covariance analysis of MEP area revealed a significant correlation difference at ISI 2.2 and 2.8 ms. This increased variability was not seen in other TMS protocols or with peripheral nerve stimulation.

Conclusions

In contrast with other types of dystonia, no changes in cortical excitability were found in DYT 11 patients. Our findings suggest that M–D is both clinically and pathophysiologically a separate entity from other dystonic disorders. Polyphasic MEPs during the SICF protocol in M–D patients could reflect central neuron membrane instability. Application of the SICF protocol in other patient groups has to prove its value in movement disorders.     

Electrode-distance dependent after-effects of transcranial direct and random noise stimulation with extracephalic reference electrodes

Objective

To evaluate the importance of the distance between stimulation electrodes, in various montages, on the ability to induce sustained cortical excitability changes using transcranial direct and random noise stimulation.

Methods

Twelve healthy subjects participated in four different experimental conditions. The stimulation electrode was always placed over the primary motor cortex; the reference electrode was placed at the contralateral orbit or at the ipsilateral/contralateral arm. MEPs were recorded in order to measure changes in cortical excitability over time.

Results

The distance between the two electrodes correlates negatively with the duration and magnitude of induced after-effects.

Conclusions

In particular when using extracephalic reference electrodes with transcranial electric stimulation techniques, the stimulation intensity has to be adapted to account for interelectrode distance.

Significance

Electrode distance plays a critical role in the induction for stimulation after-effects in tDCS and tRNS studies, and must be taken into account in future studies and also when making comparisons with the published literature.     

Enhancement of sciatic nerve regeneration by adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant negative RhoA and Rac1

It is known that Rho family small GTPases activate a number of signal transduction pathways involved in cell cycle progression, gene expression, and cell survival. These small G proteins play an important role in neuronal survival and axon regeneration in neural injury. In this study, we tested whether the activity of RhoA or Rac1 regulates neurite extension in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) in vitro and nerve regeneration in injured sciatic nerves. Regeneration of neurites from explanted DRGs was accelerated by combined suppression of RhoA and Rac1 activity using adenoviruses expressing dominant negative (DN) forms of both RhoA and Rac1 (Ad-Rho/RacDN) in vitro. Rat sciatic nerves were cut and Ad-Rho/RacDN was injected into the proximal stumps. After bridge grafting with chitosan mesh tubes, muscle evoked potentials induced by transcranial electrical stimulation were recorded eight weeks postoperatively. The terminal latencies were shorter in the Ad-Rho/RacDN group than in the control group. Histological analysis revealed extensive regrowth of neurofilament-positive and myelinated axons within the tubes in the group that received Ad-Rho/RacDN. These findings suggest that combined regulation of RhoA and Rac1 using DN adenoviral transgenic methods has the potential to modify injured peripheral nerve tissues directly.     

Neural control of locomotion and training-induced plasticity after spinal and cerebral lesions

Standing and walking require a plethora of sensorimotor interactions that occur throughout the nervous system. Sensory afferent feedback plays a crucial role in the rhythmical muscle activation pattern, as it affects through spinal reflex circuits the spinal neuronal networks responsible for inducing and maintaining rhythmicity, drives short-term and long-term re-organization of the brain and spinal cord circuits, and contributes to recovery of walking after locomotor training. Therefore, spinal circuits integrating sensory signals are adjustable networks with learning capabilities. In this review, I will synthesize the mechanisms underlying phase-dependent modulation of spinal reflexes in healthy humans as well as those with spinal or cerebral lesions along with findings on afferent regulation of spinal reflexes and central pattern generator in reduced animal preparations. Recovery of walking after locomotor training has been documented in numerous studies but the re-organization of spinal interneuronal and cortical circuits need to be further explored at cellular and physiological levels. For maximizing sensorimotor recovery in people with spinal or cerebral lesions, a multidisciplinary approach (rehabilitation, pharmacology, and electrical stimulation) delivered during various sensorimotor constraints is needed.     

Intraoperative transcranial electrical motor evoked potential monitoring during spinal surgery under intravenous ketamine or etomidate anaesthesia

Summary Motor evoked potentials (MEPs), monitoring the motor function directly, are superior to somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in monitoring the motor system during spinal surgery. Reliable MEPs are difficult to elicit under normal anaesthesia. Using intravenous anaesthesia with either ketamine or etomidate infusion, we performed intraoperative MEP monitoring in 12 spinal operations for 11 cases from February 1992 to May 1992. For anaesthesia, ketamine was used in 5, etomidate in 7, fentanyl was supplemented in all, muscle relaxation at 30% to 50% of pre-anaesthetic muscle power was maintained with atracurium or vencuronium infusion. Transcranial bipolar electrical stimulation was used to induce MEPs. Concomitant SSEP monitoring was performed in 3. No significant anaesthesia related side effects were noted except one episode of unpleasant dream occurred in the ketamine anaesthesia group.Successful monitoring was achieved in 10 sessions. In 5 of which warning to the surgeons was made due to sudden MEP deterioration, which recovered followed by definite management in four and persisted in one. In the other 5 sessions, no warning was made due to stationary or gradual change in MEPs. Bilateral two-channel recordings were used in 3 sessions. In 2 of which unilateral transient change was noted. Loss of SSEPs was noted in one despite unchanged MEPs, in whom only new sensory deficits occurred postoperatively. Compared to the baseline MEPs in terms of latency and amplitude, the final MEPs improved in 5 sessions, did not change significantly in 4 sessions, deteriorated in one session, and were correlated well with the immediate postoperative motor status.In our small series, the intraoperative MEP monitoring showed neither false negative nor false positive result. It is concluded that the intraoperative MEP monitoring is feasible under intravenous ketamine or etomidate anaesthesia and valuable in spinal surgery.     

肋间神经植入损伤侧脊髓的电生理改变

目的通过神经示踪方法(MEP)和脊髓电生理(SEP)检测探讨该方法对脊髓损伤修复的可行性,客观评价其价值。方法本实验共设3组:A组(正常对照组)、B组(制作成脊髓半切损害模型将肋间神经植入缺损的脊髓处)、C组(在脊髓半切损害模型的脊髓缺损处植入可吸收的明胶海绵)。结果B组经移植重建后,示踪剂注射处显色显示沿神经束向远、近端顺向和逆向运输,并以顺向显色较为明显。3个月后引MEP和SEP测定。B组与C组相比较,脊髓电生理功能有明显改善,其潜伏期和波幅均有不同程度的恢复。统计学处理(P<0.01)。结论纵观脊髓损伤肋间神经移植不仅可诱导和促进脊髓再生,而且再生的轴突可沿着肋间神经桥延伸到较远的距离。MEP和SEP在此方面可起到较为客观的评价作用。     

Nanoindentation and XPS Studies of Titanium TNZ Alloy after Electrochemical Polishing in a Magnetic Field

This work presents the nanoindentation and XPS results of a newly-developed biomaterial of titanium TNZ alloy after different surface treatments. The investigations were performed on the samples AR (as received), EP (after a standard electropolishing) and MEP (after magnetoelectropolishing). The electropolishing processes, both EP and MEP, were conducted in the same proprietary electrolyte based on concentrated sulfuric acid. The mechanical properties of the titanium TNZ alloy biomaterial demonstrated an evident dependence on the surface treatment method, with MEP samples revealing extremely different behavior and mechanical properties. The reason for that different behavior appeared to be influenced by the surface film composition, as revealed by XPS study results displayed in this work. The increase of niobium and zirconium in the surface film of the same titanium TNZ alloy after magnetoelectropolishing MEP treatment is meaningful and especially advantageous considering the application of this alloy as a biomaterial.     

纵行神经束内微电极的制作与动物试验

目的 :应用自制的纵行神经束内微电极插入家兔坐骨神经的神经束内进行实验 ,测定电极的刺激和记录特性 ,探讨自制电极的应用价值。方法 :将纵行神经束内微电极分别作为记录电极记录运动诱发电位和感觉神经活动电位 ,作为刺激电极记录肌电 ,并以神经束内针状电极作为对照。结果 :神经束内微电极记录到运动诱发电位和感觉神经活动电位平均波幅分别为 4 .2 4± 1.13mV和 4 78± 173μV ,与神经束内针状电极记录信号的波幅间的差别无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,并可以作为刺激电极在肌肉处记录到混合相肌电。结论 :自制的纵行神经束内微电极可以作为刺激和记录电极对神经束刺激或记录神经束的电活动。