Quantitative measurement of vibratory sense and temperature sense in patients with multiple sclerosis.
In this study the vibratory perception threshold (VPT) and the thermal discrimination threshold (TDT) were measured in 33 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS). VPT values were abnormal in a majority of MS patients (68%). There was no relation between VPT and the severity of the disease. TDT values were elevated less frequently (30%); abnormal TDTs were found only in patients with severe disease. It is suggested that this can be explained by MS-plaques having predilection sites within the central nervous system and by differences in functional and morphological properties of sensory pathways. Quantitative measurements of VPT and TDT seem to be suitable techniques for the detection of minor sensory signs of central origin.
Heijenbrok
M W
MW
Department of Medical Physics, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Anema
J R
JR
Faes
T J
TJ
Bertelsmann
F W
FW
Heimans
J J
JJ
Polman
C H
CH
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature; D014732:Vibration