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Bereitschaftspotential in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): lower amplitudes in patients with hyperreflexia (spasticity)
Author(s) -
Westphal K. P.,
Heinemann H. A.,
Grözinger B.,
Kotchoubey B. J.,
Diekmann V.,
Becker W.,
Kornhuber H. H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1998.tb07372.x
Subject(s) - hyperreflexia , spasticity , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , medicine , central nervous system disease , multiple sclerosis , neurological disorder , psychology , anesthesia , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychiatry , disease
In a pilot study the Bereitschaftspotential (BP) was investigated in 16 patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (mean age 58.6, mean severity of the illness according to Norris ALS score 76.4 points). Comparing the total ALS group ( n = 16) with matched controls no significant differences in the BP amplitude parameters were found. However, a subgroup of 7 ALS patients with signs of pronounced spasticity (hyperreflexia) differed significantly at the central midline from matched controls and significantly in addition from patients with a lower degree of spasticity. Controls as well as patients with a lower degree of spasticity had significantly higher BP amplitudes at the midline (electrode positions C z and P z , P <0.05, H ‐test). The correlation coefficient between the hyperreflexia Norris score and the various BP parameters for the total ALS sample ( n = 16) revealed a significant correlation especially over the midline. Stronger signs of spasticity (hyperreflexia) are associated with lower amplitudes of the BP.