Karina Nocelo Ferreiro de Andrade1, Adriana Bastos Conforto2. 1. Neurostimulation Laboratory, Neurology Clinical Division, Hospital das Clínicas/São Paulo University and Fundação Faculdade de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil; NAPNA-USP (Núcleo de Apoio à Pequisa em Neurociência Aplicada), São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: karinanoc@usp.br. 2. Neurostimulation Laboratory, Neurology Clinical Division, Hospital das Clínicas/São Paulo University and Fundação Faculdade de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil; NAPNA-USP (Núcleo de Apoio à Pequisa em Neurociência Aplicada), São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil; Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Deeper short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), a marker of GABAA activity, correlates with better motor performance in patients with moderate to severe hand impairments in the chronic phase after stroke. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the correlation between SICI in the affected hemisphere and pinch force of the paretic hand in well-recovered patients. We also investigated the correlation between SICI and pinch force in controls. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects were included in the study. SICI was measured with a paired-pulse paradigm. The correlation between lateral pinch strength and SICI was assessed with Spearman's rho. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation (rho = 0.69, p = 0.014) between SICI and pinch strength in patients, but not in controls. SICI was significantly deeper in patients with greater hand weakness. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that decreased GABAA activity in M1AH correlates with better hand motor performance in well-recovered subjects with stroke in the chronic phase.
BACKGROUND: Deeper short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), a marker of GABAA activity, correlates with better motor performance in patients with moderate to severe hand impairments in the chronic phase after stroke. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the correlation between SICI in the affected hemisphere and pinch force of the paretic hand in well-recovered patients. We also investigated the correlation between SICI and pinch force in controls. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects were included in the study. SICI was measured with a paired-pulse paradigm. The correlation between lateral pinch strength and SICI was assessed with Spearman's rho. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation (rho = 0.69, p = 0.014) between SICI and pinch strength in patients, but not in controls. SICI was significantly deeper in patients with greater hand weakness. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that decreased GABAA activity in M1AH correlates with better hand motor performance in well-recovered subjects with stroke in the chronic phase.
Authors: T Kujirai; M D Caramia; J C Rothwell; B L Day; P D Thompson; A Ferbert; S Wroe; P Asselman; C D Marsden Journal: J Physiol Date: 1993-11 Impact factor: 5.182
Authors: G Pennisi; G Alagona; G Rapisarda; F Nicoletti; E Costanzo; R Ferri; M Malaguarnera; R Bella Journal: Clin Neurophysiol Date: 2002-10 Impact factor: 3.708