Neurological and pharmacological evaluation of a case of stiff-man syndrome.
A typical case of stiff-man syndrome was studied neurophysiologically and pharmacologically focusing the attention on a central disorder, either spinal or suprasegmental. The results support the hypothesis that a gamma type of hypertonia is one of the causes of the stiff-man syndrome, ruling out the participation of the Renshaw circuits. The syndrome should be considered a central disorder of the descending pathways that control and modify gamma activity and the startle reaction mechanisms, especially affecting the circuits that use Gabaergic mediators.
D000328:Adult; D003286:Contracture / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004576:Electromyography; D006181:H-Reflex; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
D003975:Diazepam