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At least 793 records · Page 44Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Neuropsychological and motor functioning after unilateral anatomically guided posterior ventral pallidotomy. Preoperative performance and three-month follow-up.

This study presents baseline and 3-month follow-up motor and neuropsychological data for 22 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who underwent anatomically guided unilateral posterior ventral pallidotomy (PVP). Postsurgical improvements were seen in psychomotor speed, fine motor accuracy, and dyskinesia, whereas grip strength decreased on the side contralateral to the surgery. No change was detected in overall level of cognitive functioning, nor were changes demonstrated in memory, language, or working memory when the entire sample of patients was evaluated. When the group was divided on the basis of side of surgery, patients with left-sided pallidotomies showed a decline in verbal fluency. Patients and caregivers reported improvement in psychosocial functioning. These initial findings of improved motor performance and largely unaffected cognitive functions are consistent with results obtained with functional PVP and provide support for the use of anatomically guided posterior ventral pallidotomy in the treatment of motor symptoms of PD.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of cognitive and motor functioning during pubertal development: a new approach.

We investigated cognitive-motor abilities in 303 (156 female) school children from Zagreb, Croatia, in the age span 10 to 14 years using a newly developed chronometrical reactionmeter system (CRD). The following tests were applied: CRD-311 (simple visual discrimination of signal location), CRD-324 (short-term memory actualisation), CRD-21 (simple convergent visual orientation), and CRD-11 (arithmetically conceptualised/operationalised convergent thinking). In both gender a statistically significant age related improvement of the performance for time related parameters (minimum time of test item solving (MT), total ballast (TB), and total time of test solving (TT) was observed. In contrast, the number of errors (NE), which was the only non-time related parameter tested, did not significantly change with age. Significant differences between boys and girls were observed for the time related parameters TB and MT. TB was significantly lower in girls, whereas boys tended to be faster in MT measurements. In TT as a composed measure of the mentioned parameters, no major differences were observed. We conclude that the CRD system is a new useful tool for investigating the complexity of cognitive-motor abilities in children. Our cross-sectional study demonstrated that the time-related parameters were significantly affected by age and gender during puberty.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Regional variation in bone mineral density and motor function in children with cerebral palsy].

Bone mineral density (BMD) and motor activity of the upper extremities, were studied in 18 children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP group) and 12 age-matched normal boys (control group). The motor activity was monitored by a piezoelectric transducer. Whole body BMD as well as BMD of the head, upper limbs, ribs, spine, pelvis, and lower limbs was evaluated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. In the CP group, BMDs were lower compared to control group in the whole body and in all the body regions (except for the head) especially in the pelvis and lower limbs. BMDs of these regions were higher in walking patients than in bed-ridden, rolling, and crawling patients. Motor activities in the upper extremities were lower in the CP than in the control group. BMD increased with developing motor activity in the upper extremities. These results implicate diminished BMDs of the lower limbs and pelvis, which are associated with standing and walking, to the high incidence of femur fractures in CP.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2006

The relationship between measures of executive function, motor performance and externalising behaviour in 5- and 6-year-old children.

In his cognitive-energetic model of information processing Sergeant [Sergeant, J. (2000). The cognitive-energetic model: An empirical approach to ADHD. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 24, 7-12] links executive function (EF) to motor behaviour. This link has been supported by evidence from a number of sources including studies of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Little is known developmentally about this association. Given the rapid change in both motor proficiency and EF that takes place in the pre-school years, this appears an important time to look for the emergence of the link between these factors. In this study we tested 5- and 6-year-old children on motor tasks from the movement assessment battery for children and on measures of response inhibition (Stroop and stop-signal task) and examined the relationship between scores on these measures. Additionally, in order to relate this behaviour to everyday function, the Rowe behavioural rating inventory (RBRI), a teachers' behavioural rating of externalising behaviour, was also gathered and this related to EF and motor performance. It was found that motor performance correlated significantly with RBRI scores (better motor performance with lower externalising behaviour) and with Stroop performance. The relationship between motor performance and stop-signal task performance was in the expected direction but failed to reach significance and there was no clear association between performance on the stop-signal task and either Stroop or RBRI scores. The results are discussed in relation to different aspects of response inhibition (inhibition of a pre-potent response, interference control) and how these might relate to motor control.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed2003

The basal ganglia: a neural network with more than motor function.

The basal ganglia is a group of subcortical nuclei involved in motor control, cognition, and emotion. Basal ganglia disorders are manifested by abnormal movement and a number of neuropsychiatric disorders. Basal ganglia nuclei are organized into sensorimotor, associative, and limbic territories based on their connectivity and function. The caudate nucleus, putamen, and subthalamic nucleus comprise the input nuclei of the basal ganglia. The internal segment of globus pallidus and substantia nigra reticulata are the output nuclei. The input and output nuclei are interconnected by direct and indirect pathways. The cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus communicate with each other via closed (segregated) parallel as well as open (split) loops. Recent anatomic, functional, and clinical data have necessitated modifications in the classical models of local connectivity between input and output nuclei of the basal ganglia as well as in the corticobasal ganglia-thalamus-cortical loops.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

The Kar3p and Kip2p motors function antagonistically at the spindle poles to influence cytoplasmic microtubule numbers.

Microtubules provide the substrate for intracellular trafficking by association with molecular motors of the kinesin and dynein superfamilies. Motor proteins are generally thought to function as force generating units for transport of various cargoes along the microtubule polymer. Recent work suggests additional roles for motor proteins in changing the structure of the microtubule network itself. We report here that in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae microtubule motors have antagonistic effects on microtubule numbers and lengths. As shown previously, loss of the Kar3p motor stimulates cytoplasmic microtubule growth while loss of Kip2p leads to a sharp reduction in cytoplasmic microtubule numbers. Loss of both the Kip2p and Kar3p motors together in the same cell produces an intermediate phenotype, suggesting that these two motors act in opposition to control cytoplasmic microtubule density. A Kip2p-GFP fusion from single gene expression is most concentrated at the spindle poles, as shown previously for an epitope tagged Kar3p-HA, suggesting both of these motors act from the minus ends of the microtubules to influence microtubule numbers.

Cell Division↗
PubMed2002

Effect of prolonged gastric distension on motor function of LES and of proximal stomach.

Gastric distension is a potent stimulus of transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation. To investigate the time effect of prolonged gastric distension on the rate of transient LES relaxations, LES pressure, and the motor and sensory functions of the proximal stomach, we performed a continuous isobaric distension of the proximal stomach at the 75% threshold pressure for discomfort for 2 h in seven healthy subjects. A multilumen assembly incorporating a sleeve and an electronic barostat was used. The rate of transient LES relaxations (n/30 min) was constant during the first hour [4.1 +/- 1.2 (0-30 min) and 5.4 +/- 1.1 (30-60 min)] but markedly decreased (P < 0.05) in the second hour [2.1 +/- 0.5 (60-90 min) and 2.3 +/- 0.9 (90-120 min)], whereas LES pressure, baseline volume and volume waves within the gastric bag, hunger, and fullness did not change throughout the experiment. It is concluded that the rate of transient LES relaxations decreases with time during prolonged gastric distension, thus suggesting that this type of stimulus should not be used in sequential experimental conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Disorders of motor function of the stomach in acute appendicitis].

The authors have studied the motoric activity of the stomach in 40 patients with acute appendicitis and in 15 patients with other lesions. In appendicitis the strength and depth of gastric contractions were found to be mostly labile, while the number of waves of gastric contractions was relatively constant.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Motor functions in non-ambulatory children with spastic diplegia and periventricular leukomalacia.

The course of acquisition of various gross motor skills and changes in their patterns with advancing age, in addition to joint contracture, hand function, and mental ability, were investigated in 20 non-ambulatory children with spastic diplegia and periventricular leukomalacia. Among the diplegic children studied, those with lower locomotive ability also had lower hand function, lower mental ability and slower acquisition of gross motor skills. All subjects could roll by 24 months of age. Fourteen patients could creep by 18 months of age, and the remaining six by 30 months. Crawling was observed in only five patients with mild locomotive disability as a final locomotive pattern on the floor. Among ten patients with mild locomotive disability, three could sit by 2 years of age, six by 3 years, and one by 4 years. Among ten patients with severe disability, two, two, four and two children could sit at the ages of 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively. Twelve patients could walk with support at between 2 and 5 years of age. Delay in acquisition of creeping or sitting differed somewhat among subjects with similar final locomotive disability. The majority of subjects with severe locomotive disability developed contracture of the hips and knees. Only two patients with mild disability had contracture of the ankles.

Brain↗
PubMed1999

Age-related brain changes associated with motor function in healthy older people.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the MRI imaging findings associated with motor changes in healthy older people. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: A study of neurologic function in very healthy older people, the Oregon Brain Aging Study. PARTICIPANTS: Clinical and MRI data were examined in 50 very healthy older subjects (mean age = 85.1, SD = 7.2 years). MEASUREMENTS: Clinical measures (finger tapping, hand opening and closing, steps and time to walk 30 feet and timed standing on one foot) were dependent variables in multiple regression analyses using age and the following MRI measures as independent variables: total brain volume (TBV)/intracranial volume; ventricular volume/TBV; periventricular high signal/TBV; deep high signal/TBV. RESULTS: The number of steps and the time to walk 30 feet were each associated with periventricular high signal (steps: r = .58, P < .001; time: r = .60, P < .001) and ventricular volume (steps: r = .54, P < .001; time: r = .58, P < .001). These associations remained significant after adjusting for age. None of the other clinical variables was associated with the MRI volumes. CONCLUSIONS: Gait measures were associated significantly with periventricular high signal and ventricular volume. These CNS changes contribute to the cause of these important markers of aging.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

The requirement for mechanical coupling between head and S2 domains in smooth muscle myosin ATPase regulation and its implications for dimeric motor function.

A combination of experimental structural data, homology modelling and elastic network normal mode analysis is used to explore how coupled motions between the two myosin heads and the dimerization domain (S2) in smooth muscle myosin II determine the domain movements required to achieve the inhibited state of this ATP-dependent molecular motor. These physical models rationalize the empirical requirement for at least two heptads of non-coiled alpha-helix at the junction between the myosin heads and S2, and the dependence of regulation on S2 length. The results correlate well with biochemical data regarding altered conformational-dependent solubility and stability. Structural models of the conformational transition between putative active states and the inhibited state show that torsional flexibility of the S2 alpha-helices is a key mechanical requirement for myosin II regulation. These torsional motions of the myosin heads about their coiled coil alpha-helices affect the S2 domain structure, which reciprocally affects the motions of the myosin heads. This inter-relationship may explain a large body of data on function of molecular motors that form dimers through a coiled-coil domain.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Motor functions of the basal ganglia.

This session dealt with the structure and function of the basal ganglia and their role in motor control. The key issues discussed in the first four presentations concerned the pathophysiology of movement performance in parkinsonian patients and in animal models of this disease. Three papers were presented on neurochemically specified subsystems of the basal ganglia. Therapeutic aspects (stereoencephalotomy and chronic electrical stimulation of neural tissue) were discussed in the last two papers. A brief account is given on the highlights of each of these reports.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Alterations in human upper extremity motor function during acute exposure to simulated altitude.

We tested the hypothesis that mild motor dysfunction was associated with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) by measuring arm movement characteristics in 14 subjects at sea level and at the end of a 30-h simulated altitude exposure (4,600 m). A computerized upper extremity movement analyzer (UEMA) was used to quantitate arm movements between a "start" position and randomly-generated targets on a large digitizing tablet by measuring selected speed parameters and error indices. The UEMA results were compared with the results of the Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ) and with neurologic examinations. When compared with sea-level values, the mean values for all the speed-related parameters measured at the end of the 30-h exposure significantly declined by 20% to 32%. The error indices were not different. The declines in the speed-related parameters were significantly correlated with the severity of AMS symptoms as measured by the ESQ (R = 0.82). The neurologic abnormalities were limited to changes in mental status items. These results demonstrate that subclinical alterations in upper extremity speed are associated with mild, reversible AMS and provide evidence that hypoxia may produce supraspinal inhibition of motor pathways.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Motor function loss in zoster neuritis versus encephalitis--clinical case and review of literature].

Motor lesions following herpes zoster are quite common. Hemiparesis, paraparesis, pareses of the facial and other cranial nerves as well as segmental pareses can be observed. We report on a patient suffering from zoster ophthalmicus complicated by paresis of the third cranial nerve. As a cause, a partial brain stem-encephalitis was diagnosed. The patient recovered after antiviral treatment (Aciclovir, Inosiplex).

Acyclovir↗