Mechanisms of tetrazepam action on spasticity.
This investigation assessed the mechanisms of Tetrazepam action on spasticity using a battery of electromyographic methods. Thirty patients with post-stroke spastic hemiparesis treated with Tetrazepam took part in the investigation. A questionnaire for assessment of subjective improvement after treatment used a 5-point scale. The 5-point scales were used to assess muscle tone, muscle strength and tendon reflexes. A battery of electromyographic methods was used to analyse different mechanisms of spasticity: for alpha-motoneuron activity--the F-wave parameters; for gamma-motoneuron activity--the TA/H amplitude ratio; for presynaptic inhibition--the ratio of H-reflex maximal amplitudes before and after vibration on the Achilles tendon (Hvibr/Hmax); for common interneuron activity--the flexor reflex parameters. Our results revealed that Tetrazepam reduces tone in spastic muscles and has a slight effect on tendon hyperreflexia. It has no influence on muscle strength, Babinski sign and ankle clonus. Tetrazepam acts by decreasing motoneurone activity and increasing presynaptic inhibition.
Milanov
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Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry & Neurosurgery, IIIrd Neurological clinic, Sofia, Bulgaria.
D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C005245:tetrazepam