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PubMed2006

Mechanisms of oral somatosensory and motor functions and their clinical correlates.

This article provides a review of somatosensory and motor pathways and processes involved in oral sensorimotor function and dysfunction. It reviews somatosensory processes in peripheral tissues, brainstem and higher brain centres such as thalamus and cerebral cortex, with a particular emphasis on nociceptive mechanisms. It also outlines some of the circuits and processes involved in reflexes and motor control. In addition, it emphasizes the concept of neuroplasticity and its applicability to oro-facial pain, to motor control and motor learning, and to adaptation to changes in the oral sensory environment such as may occur with the placement of dental implants.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cognitive and motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease with and without depression.

The objective of this study was to define risk factors for depression in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and to evaluate the correlation of depression with cognitive function and the primary domains of parkinsonian motor dysfunction tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, gait and balance impairment. The risk factors for depression in patients with PD remain controversial. Several investigators have demonstrated a significant association between cognitive dysfunction and depression, but motoric and disease variables can confound this evaluation and have shown an inconsistent relation to depression. A consecutive series of 88 patients with PD were examined using the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRSm), Hoehn-Yahr stage (HY), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Major depression was diagnosed according to the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition. Gender, age, handedness, PD duration, side of PD onset, motor fluctuations, UPDRSm total score, daily Levodopa dose, and Mini-Mental State Examination score (MMSE) were analyzed using multivariate and univariate logistic regression, Fisher's Exact test, and Pearson correlations. Major depression was diagnosed in 12 patients (7.3%). Low MMSE score, axial bradykinesia, gait and balance impairment were strongly significant predictors of depression. In conclusion, depression and physical function are important factors impairing the quality of life for patients with PD, and regular depression screening and treatment should focus on patients with PD who have cognitive impairment, high axial bradykinesia, gait and balance impairment.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Assessment of oesophageal motor function in patients with dysphagia or chest pain - the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative experience.

BACKGROUND: Available prospectively acquired data on the distribution of oesophageal motor abnormalities in patients being evaluated for non-cardiac chest pain and/or dysphagia are relatively scarce. AIM: To evaluate the distribution of oesophageal motor abnormalities in patients with dysphagia, non-cardiac chest pain or both using the national Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative (CORI) database. METHODS: The CORI oesophageal motility database originates from 19 community, university and VA medical centres. Data were collected using a computerized motility report-generating program, combined with the CORI module. Data from each site were encrypted and sent to the CORI National Repository for analysis. The database includes the assessment of the lower and upper oesophageal sphincter function and the motor activity of the oesophageal body. RESULTS: Five hundred and eighty-seven consecutive patients who underwent motility studies between 1998 and 2001 were included in the CORI database and analysed for this report. Four hundred and three patients (69%) had dysphagia as their primary indicator for the examination, 140 patients (24%) had non-cardiac chest pain and 44 patients (7%) had both dysphagia and non-cardiac chest pain. In all three groups, a normal motility study was the most frequent finding (dysphagia, 53%; chest pain, 70%; both, 55%). The most common motility abnormality in the group with non-cardiac chest pain was a hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter (61%). Nutcracker oesophagus and non-specific oesophageal motility disorders were each diagnosed in only 10% of patients with non-cardiac chest pain. In patients with dysphagia, ineffective peristalsis was the most common oesophageal dysmotility (27%), followed by achalasia and non-specific oesophageal motility disorders (18% and 14%, respectively). Achalasia and non-specific oesophageal motility disorders were the most common oesophageal motility abnormalities in patients with both chest pain and dysphagia (35% and 25%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The most common oesophageal motility abnormality in patients with non-cardiac chest pain is a hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter; nutcracker oesophagus and non-specific oesophageal motility disorders are relatively uncommon; the most common oesophageal motility abnormality in patients with dysphagia is ineffective peristalsis and, for those with both dysphagia and non-cardiac chest pain, it is achalasia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Neurophysiological correlates of age-related changes in human motor function.

BACKGROUND: There are well-defined and characteristic age-related deficits in motor abilities that may reflect structural and chemical changes in the aging brain. OBJECTIVE: To delineate age-related changes in the physiology of brain systems subserving simple motor behavior. METHODS: Ten strongly right-handed young (<35 years of age) and 12 strongly right-handed elderly (>50 years of age) subjects with no evidence of cognitive or motor deficits participated in the study. Whole-brain functional imaging was performed on a 1.5-T MRI scanner using a spiral pulse sequence while the subjects performed a visually paced "button-press" motor task with their dominant right hand alternating with a rest state. RESULTS: Although the groups did not differ in accuracy, there was an increase in reaction time in the elderly subjects (mean score plus minus SD, young subjects = 547 +/- 97 ms, elderly subjects = 794 +/- 280 ms, p < 0.03). There was a greater extent of activation in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex, lateral premotor area, supplementary motor area, and ipsilateral cerebellum in the elderly subjects relative to the young subjects (p < 0.001). Additional areas of activation, absent in the young subjects, were seen in the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex, putamen (left > right), and contralateral cerebellum of the elderly subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that elderly subjects recruit additional cortical and subcortical areas even for the performance of a simple motor task. These changes may represent compensatory mechanisms invoked by the aging brain, such as reorganization and redistribution of functional networks to compensate for age-related structural and neurochemical changes.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Long-term clorgyline treatment antagonizes the eating and motor function responses to m-chlorophenylpiperazine.

Treatment for 21 days but not 3 days with clorgyline, a selective monoamine oxidase type A inhibitor with antidepressant effects, causes significant escape from m-chlorophenylpiperazine's effects on food intake, sedation level and induction of limb movements, but sensitizes rats to ejaculation. These findings support the prior reports of functional serotonin pathway adaptational changes in the motor system in response to antidepressant treatment and extend these findings to serotonin pathways involved in eating behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Intrastriatal implants of polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells: effects on motor function in aged rats.

1. The feasibility of ameliorating the motor deficits in aged rats was evaluated in animals receiving polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells. 2. Motor coordination and balance was evaluated in young (5-6 month) and aged (24-25 month) rats. Compared to the young animals, the aged animals fell more rapidly from a rotating rod and were unable to maintain their balance on a series of wooden beams of varying widths. 3. Following baseline testing, aged animals received either no implant, empty capsules or PC12 cell-loaded capsules implanted bilaterally into the striatum. 4. Three weeks following surgery, animals were re-tested and a significant improvement in balance on the rotorod and wooden beams was observed in those aged animals receiving PC12 cell-loaded capsules. No improvements or decrements in performance were observed in those animals receiving empty. Histological analysis revealed the presence of surviving tyrosine hydroxylase-positive PC12 cells randomly distributed within the capsules.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Motor function in young and aged hemiplegic rats: effects of a Ginkgo biloba extract.

We have previously shown beneficial effects of a Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761-IPSEN) in accelerating functional recovery from hemiplegia induced by unilateral motor cortex ablation. Here, we report the behavioral and histological effects of various dose regimes of EGb761. In young rats (3 months), 10 mg/kg/day for 7 days produced an improvement in motor performance, relative to untreated controls, on the last day of treatment. Applying a priming (P)-maintenance (M) dose regime (P-7 = 7 days, M-21 = 21 days), a P-7 of 50 (all doses expressed in mg/kg/day) and a M-21 of 10 promoted recovery from the second day after surgery. However, in aged rats (26-28 months old) this treatment ameliorated motor performance only after the 10th day of treatment. A P-7 of 100 or 200 and a M-21 of 50 or 100 produced an acceleration of behavioral recovery in aged animals. Improvement was evident by the fifth day of treatment and was maintained after the treatment regimen. These two groups also demonstrated reduced glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) immunostaining and ex vacuo hydrocephalus. Thus, the confirmed efficacy of EGb in hemiplegic rats can be enhanced by an appropriate posology.

Aging↗

PubMed2001

Preservation of motor function by inhibition of CD8+ virus peptide-specific T cells in Theiler's virus infection.

Central nervous system-infiltrating CD8+ T cells are potential mediators of neuropathology in models of multiple sclerosis induced by Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection. C57BL/6 mice mount a vigorous cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against the immunodominant virus peptide VP2121-130 and clear TMEV infection. Interferon-g (IFN-g)R-/- mice also mount a strong CTL response against the VP2121-130 epitope, but because of genetic deficiencies in critical IFN-g signaling pathways, they do not clear TMEV infection and develop prominent neurological deficits within 6 wk. This pronounced disease process, coupled with a defined CTL response, provides an ideal model for evaluating the importance of antiviral CTL activity in the development of severe demyelination and loss of motor neuron function. By administering the VP2121-130 peptide before and during TMEV infection, 99% of the VP2121-130-specific CD8+ T cell response was inhibited. No decrease in virus infection was observed. Peptide treatment did result in significantly less motor dysfunction, even when no differences in levels of demyelination were observed. Although most investigators focus on the role of CD4+ T cells in demyelinating disease, these studies are the first to demonstrate a clear contribution of antiviral CD8+ T cells in neurological injury in a chronic-progressive model of multiple sclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Rationales for improving motor function.

New findings in basic neuroscience, and the growing knowledge regarding neuroplasticity and motor learning have exerted influence and have provided stimuli for motor rehabilitation research. Repeated motor practice has been identified as crucial for motor recovery. Further novel and scientifically based therapeutic approaches have been developed: constraint-induced movement therapy, electromyogram-initiated neuromuscular stimulation, motor imagery and music therapy are all discussed in the present review.

Brain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of chronic carbon disulfide inhalation on sensory and motor function in the rat.

Chronic carbon disulfide (CS2) exposure produces debilitating motor, sensory and neuropsychiatric consequences in humans. Sensory, especially auditory, tests have been considered for indexing early intoxication. This study examines effects of chronic CS2 exposure in rat upon auditory and neuromuscular function using reflex modulation audiometry to test the feasibility of using pure tone detection thresholds as such an index. This method is sensitive to the differential effects of toxicants upon acoustic and neuromuscular functioning. Rats were tested before, during and after five or 12 weeks of 500 ppm CS2 inhalation, six h/day, five days/week. Neuromuscular integrity, reflected by baseline startle amplitude, decreased 50% after five weeks and 67% following 12 weeks of CS2 exposure; recovery to 70% of preexposure values occurred on the fourth postexposure week. Twelve weeks of CS2 inhalation had no significant effect upon acoustic thresholds. Pure tone detection thresholds, therefore, do not appear adequate to index early CS2 exposure levels in the rat, as severe neuromuscular compromise occurred at a time when acoustic thresholds remained stable.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1970