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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To test if motor imagery prevents the rest-induced suppression of anterior horn cell excitability. ⋯ This finding documents the importance of central drive for spinal excitability, which affects F-wave studies of a paretic muscle.