Physiologic Studies of Spasticity

NCT00014976 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 01014801-N-0148
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Muscle Spasticity; Healthy

Keywords

Pyramidal Tract; Primary Lateral Sclerosis; Spastic Paraparesis; EMG; Magnetic Stimulation; Muscle Spasticity; Healthy Volunteer

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

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

Study Sites (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• 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.

  PMID: 7659104 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 7441270 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 9741003 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscle Spasticity; Motor Neuron Disease; Paraparesis, Spastic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscle Hypertonia; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Paraparesis; Paresis

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 17, 2001
• First Posted: April 18, 2001
• Study Start: April 13, 2001
• Study Completion: November 1, 2010
• Last Updated: July 2, 2017

Record last verified: 2010-11-01

Locations

US (1)