Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2008
Clinical TrialCan electromyography objectively detect voluntary movement in disorders of consciousness?
Determining conscious processing in unresponsive patients relies on subjective behavioural assessment. Using data from hand electromyography, the authors studied the occurrence of subthreshold muscle activity in response to verbal command, as an objective indicator of awareness in 10 disorders of consciousness patients. One out of eight vegetative state patients and both minimally conscious patients (n = 2) demonstrated an increased electromyography signal specifically linked to command. These findings suggest electromyography could be used to assess awareness objectively in pathologies of consciousness.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2008
Controlled Clinical TrialSkin wrinkling for diagnosing small fibre neuropathy: comparison with epidermal nerve density and sympathetic skin response.
To compare simple tests of small nerve fibre function with intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) in the evaluation of small fibre neuropathy (SFN). ⋯ Stimulated skin wrinkling was nearly as sensitive as IENFD in diagnosing SFN, whereas SSR was of less use. Stimulated skin wrinkling is a useful supportive test when IENFD or other tests of small nerve fibre function are not available.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2008
Blood-brain barrier disruption in post-traumatic epilepsy.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of focal epilepsy. Animal experiments indicate that disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). ⋯ Lasting BBB pathology is common in patients with mild TBI, with increased frequency and extent being observed in patients with PTE. A correlation between disrupted BBB and abnormal neuronal activity is suggested.