Physiologic Studies of Spasticity

Spasticity: Physiologic Studies

This study will provide information about changes that occur in the motor neurons of the spinal cord (the nerve cells that control the muscles) when the motor cortex (the region of the brain that controls movement) is unable to send messages to the spinal cord and muscles in the normal way. This information will help elucidate how the nervous system adapts after injury or disease of the motor cortex.

Healthy adult volunteers and adults with a spasticity disorder and moderate weakness may be eligible for this study. Patients will be screened with a medical history, physical examination and diagnostic studies as needed. Healthy volunteers will have a neurological examination. Muscle weakness and spasticity will be evaluated in both groups of subjects.

All participants will have electromyography (measurement of electrical activity in muscles) during nerve stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation, described below. (Some patients, such as those with a pacemaker or implanted medication pumps, metal objects in the eye, history of epilepsy and others, will not have magnetic stimulation.)

Electromyography - The electrical activity of muscles will be measured either by 1) using metal electrodes taped to the skin overlying a muscle, or 2) using thin wires inserted into the muscle through a needle.

Nerve stimulation - The nerves will be stimulated by applying a small electrical pulse through metal disks on the skin of the arm or leg.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation - A brief electrical current is passed through a wire coil placed on the scalp. This creates a magnetic pulse, which stimulates the brain. During the test, the participant may be asked to tense certain muscles slightly or perform other simple actions.

Nerve block - Some patients will have a nerve block of one of the nerves in the arm. For this procedure, a local anesthetic is injected under the skin to produce numbness and weakness in some arm muscles.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy; Muscle Spasticity

Detailed Description

Objective: The purpose of this protocol is to characterize abnormalities in motoneuron recruitment in adult patients with corticospinal tract dysfunction using electrophysiologic measures. We wish to determine whether the intrinsic spinal mechanisms for recruitment are abnormal or whether only inputs to motoneurons are changed. This information is pertinent for assessing ways that can ultimately be used to enhance strength in patients with corticospinal tract dysfunction using the existing spinal circuitry.

Study Design: Comparison of physiological observations in patients and age - matched control subjects.

Study Population: Adults with spastic paresis aged 21-80 and healthy volunteers.

Outcome Parameters: Measures of motor unit firing in response to peripheral nerve stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 48

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
      • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Adult patients with selective corticospinal tract dysfunction

Minimum age 21 years; maximum age 80 years

Moderate severity of weakness (greater than or equal to MRC Grade 4)

Adult normal volunteers

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Severe weakness with inability to maintain voluntary contractions

Significant sensory impairment

For TMS studies only: pregnancy, implanted devices such as pacemakers, medication pumps or defibrillators, metal in the cranium except the mouth, intracardiac lines, history of seizures

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Gemperline JJ, Allen S, Walk D, Rymer WZ. Characteristics of motor unit discharge in subjects with hemiparesis. Muscle Nerve. 1995 Oct;18(10):1101-14. doi: 10.1002/mus.880181006.
• Rosenfalck A, Andreassen S. Impaired regulation of force and firing pattern of single motor units in patients with spasticity. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1980 Oct;43(10):907-16. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.43.10.907.
• Frascarelli M, Mastrogregori L, Conforti L. Initial motor unit recruitment in patients with spastic hemiplegia. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1998 Jul-Aug;38(5):267-71.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: April 13, 2001
• Study Completion: November 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 17, 2001
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 17, 2001
• First Posted (Estimate): April 18, 2001

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 2, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 30, 2017
• Last Verified: November 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Healthy Volunteer; EMG; Magnetic Stimulation; Muscle Spasticity; Primary Lateral Sclerosis; Spastic Paraparesis; Pyramidal Tract
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Muscle Hypertonia; Muscle Spasticity
• Other Study ID Numbers: 010148; 01-N-0148