Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
-
Use of brain stem reflexes in the assessment of orofacial function requires insight into the influence of demographic factors such as gender. The aim of this study was to characterize possible gender differences in the relation between quantitative measures of the masseteric exteroceptive suppression (ES) reflex response and pain perception evoked by incrementally increasing electrical stimulation. ⋯ These findings suggest that gender differences may exist in the sensory-motor integration of primary afferent input from the orofacial region and that these differences should be considered in the design of future reflex studies.
-
NREM sleep patterns of narcoleptic patients with cataplexy were studied, focusing on their sleep 'microstructure', by analyzing the cyclic alternating pattern (CAP). ⋯ Our findings might indicate that in narcolepsy very-slow oscillation processes less effective than normal might be present, with a subtly impaired capability of grouping the other sleep EEG activities; this aspect deserves further insight in order to obtain a better understanding of its functional meaning.
-
Case Reports
Bell's palsy-induced blepharospasm relieved by passive eyelid closure and responsive to apomorphine.
We describe the case of a woman with Bell's Palsy-induced blepharospasm (BPIB) of the right eye that appeared simultaneously with a complete left facial nerve palsy. The involuntary spasm was relieved by passive lowering of the upper eyelid on the paretic side. ⋯ Our findings are in agreement with an animal model of blepharospasm that suggests a combined role of weakness of the orbicularis oculi muscle and a dysfunction of the dopaminergic system in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
-
The growing clinical acceptance of neurostimulation technology has highlighted the need to accurately predict neural activation as a function of stimulation parameters and electrode design. In this study we evaluate the effects of the tissue and electrode capacitance on the volume of tissue activated (VTA) during deep brain stimulation (DBS). ⋯ DBS has rapidly emerged as an effective treatment for movement disorders; however, little is known about the VTA during therapeutic stimulation. In addition, the influence of tissue and electrode capacitance has been largely ignored in previous models of neural stimulation. The results and methodology of this study provide the foundation for the quantitative analysis of the VTA during clinical neurostimulation.
-
Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Detecting temporal lobe seizures from scalp EEG recordings: a comparison of various features.
Sixteen different features are evaluated in their potential ability to detect seizures from scalp EEG recordings containing temporal lobe (TL) seizures. Features include spectral measures, non-linear methods (e.g. zero-crossings), phase synchronization and the recently introduced Brain Symmetry Index (BSI). Besides an individual comparison, several combinations of features are evaluated as well in their potential ability to detect TL seizures. ⋯ Improved seizure detection can improve patient care in both the epilepsy monitoring unit and the intensive care unit.