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Effects of apomorphine on flexor reflex and periodic limb movement
Author(s) -
Paradiso Guillermo,
Khan Farooq,
Chen Robert
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.1254
Subject(s) - apomorphine , dopaminergic , neuroscience , medicine , withdrawal reflex , stimulation , reflex , dopaminergic pathways , anesthesia , psychology , dopamine
It has been suggested that periodic leg movements (PLM) and spinal flexor reflex (FR) share common mechanisms. Although dopaminergic agents improve PLM in humans and strongly influence spinal FR circuitry in animal studies, its effects on FR have not been documented in humans. We describe a 65‐year‐old man with PLM after overnight withdrawal of dopaminergic agents. The electromyographic pattern of spontaneous PLM closely resembled that of the FR elicited by medial plantar nerve stimulation. Thirty minutes after subcutaneous injection of apomorphine, both PLM and FR were completely abolished. These findings demonstrate that dopaminergic agents can suppress exaggerated FR in humans, and support the hypothesis of common mechanisms for PLM and FR. © 2002 Movememt Disorder Society.