Functional state of motor neurons and its evaluation by transcranial magnetic stimulation in children with inflammatory lesions of the brain
Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Aim of study was to evaluate functional state of central nervous system motoneurons in patients with inflammatory disseminated small lesions of the brain. Methods : 20 controls (11 boys, 9 girls, mean age 15 years) and 32 patients with ADEM (n = 17) and MS (n = 15) were enrolled. Diagnosis was established by MRI and thorough clinical investigation. Mean age of the group of children with ADEM and MS was 14 years, there were 14 boys & 18 girls. All patients underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), single-pulse protocol. Results : TMS showed good tolerability in children with encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis. Central motor pathways in patients with relatively small disseminated (multiple sclerosis, ADEM) lesions demonstrated high durability and stable TMS parameters, perhaps due to neuroplasticity. In all groups MEP latencies and amplitudes were comparable with medical normative, there were no significant differences with the controls. But it have to be noted, that in children in both MS and ADEM groups elevation of MEP threshold was seen significantly more often, which may be interpreted as signs of abnormal lowered functional state of motoneurons. As non-invasive, sensitive and relatively safe method, TMS should be more often implemented into the diagnostic protocols in pediatrics.
Source: The Neurological Journal
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2531300512