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.
Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry & Neurosurgery, IIIrd Neurological clinic, Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Milanov
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