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Biomedical subjects

C Toro

Publications and source records attributed to C Toro.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cortical tremor. A common manifestation of cortical myoclonus.

Ten patients, three with postural tremor and seven with action myoclonus, had stereotyped involuntary rhythmic movements when attempting to execute a sustained isometric muscle contraction. The movements were characterized by rhythmic EMG bursts lasting less than 50 msec and appearing synchronously in agonist and antagonist muscles at a rate of 9 to 18 Hz. Backaveraging of the EEG activity related to the onset of the rhythmic EMG bursts identified a cortical potential preceding the EMG bursts in all patients. These symptoms and signs fit the description of "cortical tremor," a variant of cortical reflex myoclonus. Cortical tremor is common in patients with cortical myoclonus and may be a source of functional disability. In two patients in whom we studied the effects of graded levels of isometric force, force recruitment modulated the abnormal EMG bursting frequency, amplitude, and spatial distribution of the myoclonic jerks in the activated limb. Transcranial magnetic and electrical stimulation, but not peripheral nerve stimulation, influenced the abnormal EMG bursting pattern, implying a greater dependence of this rhythmic phenomenon on a central generator than on peripheral feedback loops.

Adolescent↗

Longitudinal neurophysiologic studies in a patient with metachromatic leukodystrophy following bone marrow transplantation.

We describe a girl with late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy. The patient has been followed up with serial neurologic and neurophysiologic examinations for 8 years following bone marrow transplantation, which she underwent when she was 4 3/4 years old. Her older sister died from metachromatic leukodystrophy at the age of 8 years, whereas our patient has retained significant cognitive and motor skills. Serial neurophysiologic studies initially demonstrated continued deterioration after the bone marrow transplantation, but since then, most results have remained stable or improved. Although, to our knowledge, there have been no previous serial studies of metachromatic leukodystrophy, individual case studies suggest that these findings in our patient are very unusual. With the advent of possible treatment for this condition, there is a need for further serial neurophysiologic studies to characterize the natural progression and the possible detection of progression or reversal with treatment.

Action Potentials↗

Emergency carotid artery thrombectomy for postpartum hemiplegia.

The case of a 22-year-old patient who suffered from postpartum hemiplegia due to thrombosis of the internal carotid artery is reported. She was treated aggressively with pentobarbital coma, angiography, and thrombectomy and recovered with minimal deficit.

Adult↗

Electrophysiological correlates of a paroxysmal movement disorder.

Averaged electroencephalographic activity related to rhythmic jerking movements was recorded in a patient with a complex neurological symptomatology. The diagnosis of a functional disorder was strongly suggested by his clinical course, inconsistent findings from physical examination, and negative workup. His abnormal movements were associated with the same electrophysiological correlates as normal willed motion, suggesting that averaged movement potentials may provide useful information in the study of patients with suspected functional movement disorders.

Adult↗

Effectiveness of urine surveillance as an adjunct to outpatient psychotherapy for drug abusers.

Twenty-nine polydrug abusers were randomly assigned to three out-patient treatment groups after inpatient detoxification. The groups were outpatient psychotherapy (1) with urine surveillance, (2) without surveillance, and (3) waiting list control. Tests were administered before and 3 months after outpatient treatment began. All groups made positive changes during treatment including significant reduction in drugs abused and numbers of subjects reporting less time spent in illegal activity. Notable significant differences were Group 3's reduction in social introversion vs Groups 1 and 2, and Group 1's retaining fewer drug-using friends and showing greatest reduction in barbiturate use frequency vs Groups 2 and 3. Experimenters concluded urine surveillance was somewhat helpful as an adjunct to outpatient psychotherapy but suggested its effect could be amplified by employing more rigorous surveillance procedures, especially if contingency contracting were utilized.

Adolescent↗

[Kawasaki disease].

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Child↗