Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
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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.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of pinching-evoked pain on jaw-stretch reflexes and exteroceptive suppression periods in healthy subjects.
To investigate the influence of conditioning cutaneous nociceptive inputs by a new "pinch" model on the jaw-stretch reflex and the exteroceptive suppression periods (ES1 and ES2) in jaw muscles. ⋯ The novel observation that high-intensity pinch stimuli applied to the craniofacial region fail to modulate two different brainstem reflexes is in contrast to other experimental pain studies documented facilitation of the jaw-stretch reflexes or inhibition of exteroceptive suppression periods. The clinical implication of the present findings is that only some craniofacial pain conditions could be expected to show perturbation of the brainstem reflex responses.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The after-effect of human theta burst stimulation is NMDA receptor dependent.
To provide pharmacological evidence that the after-effects of theta burst stimulation (TBS) involve plasticity like changes in cortical synaptic connections, using the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine. ⋯ The NMDA dependency of the after-effects of TBS adds to the understanding of the underlying mechanism of TBS, and suggests that these after-effects are likely to involve plasticity like changes at synaptic connections in motor cortex.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of low-level clenching and subsequent muscle pain on exteroceptive suppression and resting muscle activity in human jaw muscles.
To investigate the effects of muscle fatigue induced by low-level isometric jaw-clenching and subsequent glutamate-evoked muscle pain on the exteroceptive suppression (ES) response and resting electromyographic (EMG) activities in human jaw muscles. ⋯ Muscle fatigue which can be observed in patients with oral dysfunctions may interact with nociceptive regulation and influence the clinical presentation of jaw symptoms and function.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Cervical spine manipulation alters sensorimotor integration: a somatosensory evoked potential study.
To study the immediate sensorimotor neurophysiological effects of cervical spine manipulation using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). ⋯ This study suggests that cervical spine manipulation may alter cortical somatosensory processing and sensorimotor integration. These findings may help to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the effective relief of pain and restoration of functional ability documented following spinal manipulation treatment.