Neuro-physiological study in persons with cervico-brachial disorders.
OBJECTIVE
In order to clarify the involvement in the nervous system by cervico-brachial disorders (CBD), we performed neurophysiological tests on the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the central nervous system (CNS) in patients with CBD, subclinicals and healthy controls.


METHODS
We employed antidromic sensory nerve conduction velocities (SCV) in the hands and fingers for PNS function and event-related potentials (P300) for CNS higher function. Subjects for SCV were 27 patients, 14 workers with sign and symptoms of CBD (subclinicals) and 22 controls. Subjects for P300 were 23 patients, 12 subclinicals and 10 healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
In the PNS, since significant reduction SCV in the index finger among patients was observed, we could not find clear evidence of decrease of conduction function. In the CNS, since the latencies and amplitudes of auditory P300 among patients were significantly delayed and decreased, respectively, and the latencies significantly correlated with symptom score, it was suggested that the dysfunction of the cognition and memory function. However, further investigation is necessary to clarify the mechanism.
Hirata
Mamoru
M
Department of Hazard Assessment, National Institute of Industrial Health, Nagao 6-21-1, Tama-ku, Kawasaki 214-8585, Japan.
Taoda
Kazushi
K
Kitahara
Teruyo
T
Tsujimura
Hiroji
H
Nishiyama
Katsuo
K
D000328:Adult; D020968:Brachial Plexus Neuritis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D011826:Radial Nerve; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000503:physiopathology