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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Tardive dyskinesia successfully treated with alprazolam.

Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder secondary to prolonged treatment (from 18 months to 3 years) with antipsychotic agents, affecting approximately 15% to 20% of patients. Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by difficulty controlling involuntary movements of the small muscle groups, producing tic-like reactions, muscle rigidity, and difficulty maintaining muscle tone. It is a chronic and unrelenting disorder which may be permanent if not successfully treated. The mechanism of action is thought to be secondary to dopamine hypersensitivity resulting from prolonged deprivation of dopamine on the part of dopamine-sensitive receptors. Theoretically, these receptors have been deprived of the neurotransmitter by chronic treatment with antipsychotic drugs, which are recognized as dopamine-blocking agents. We present a case in which alprazolam was successfully used in treating tardive dyskinesia.

Adult↗

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome with stiff-person syndrome: is there a link?

Stiff-person syndrome is a rare, likely immune-mediated neurological disorder characterized by painful spasms and progressive symmetric rigidity of the axial and proximal limb muscles. Rigidity of truncal muscles and continuous contraction of the agonist and antagonist muscles caused by involuntary motor-unit firing at rest are the hallmarks of stiff-person syndrome. Immunosuppressive therapy has induced remission in patients with stiff-person syndrome. We report a patient with stiff-person syndrome with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS). The pathophysiologic states of stiff-person syndrome and MCNS are unclear. T-Cell-dependent mechanisms are highly suspected for the pathogenesis of both. The diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome was made on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings, and both MCNS and stiff-person syndrome resolved completely with immunosuppressive therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of stiff-person syndrome in association with MCNS in the literature.

Adult↗

[Muscle tonus in rigidity and spasticity].

The results of the examination of the muscle tone by passive movement of the extremity at a low and high rate in patients with spasticity are discussed. In parkinsonism high resistance was noted to passive movements of the extremity at a low rate (with a period of oscillatory movement of 100 s and more) as well as in the first cycles of rapid sinusoidal movement (with a period of 1 s) if the extremity had been at rest for a lengthy period of time. In spasticity of other etiology, there was a gradual increase of the amplitude on the mechanomyogram in high rates of passive movements, which was evidently due to growth of stimulation in the stretch-reflex arc from cycle to cycle as the result of sumation with trace stimulation from the preceding cycles. The shape of the spectromechanomyogram, which is marked by a rise in the region of the high rates, is considered to be a sign of spasticity, whereas the size of this rise is accepted as a quantitative index of the spastic component of the muscle tone.

Electromyography↗

Acute polyneuropathy with severe generalized rigidity in a child aged 16 months. Preliminary report.

A case of acute severe generalized muscle rigidity in a 16-month-old child is described. The arm flexors and leg extensors were the most severely involved, with all stretch reflexes absent. Motor conduction velocities on the arms and legs were very slow and nerve potentials were not elicited. The rigidity and electromyographically recorded spontaneous activity almost disappeared on carbamazepine treatment, with nerve conduction velocities remaining unchanged.

Acute Disease↗

[Stiff man syndrome: clinical forms, treatment and clinical course].

INTRODUCTION: Stiff-Man syndrome (SMS) is a rare neurological disease first described fifty years ago. There are several clinical forms, which are frequently misdiagnosed. The aim of this study is to review three of the main clinical forms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case reports concerning three women suffering from different forms of SMS are presented, giving the main clinical features, their associations with other diseases, and the biological and electrophysiological findings. RESULTS: The first patient presented a symmetric axial muscle rigidity, painful spasms and contractions of the trunk and limbs associated with anti-GAD antibodies. The common form of SMS was diagnosed and the patient was improved by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). The second patient suffered from contractions and spasms localized to the lower limbs. In this patient, anti-GAD antibodies were absent. The Stiff-Leg syndrome was diagnosed and the patient was improved by intrathecal baclofen. The third patient presented rigidity of limb and trunk muscles associated with signs of encephalitis. In this patient, only anti-amphiphysin antibodies were present. The progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity was diagnosed and the patient was improved by IVIg associated with corticosteroid. CONCLUSION: Identifying patients with SMS makes it possible to propose appropriate medical management. There are several forms of the disease, and the severity of the evolution differs in each case. Treatment with GABA-ergic inhibitory drugs, IVIg and corticosteroid improve both the symptomatology and the quality of life of these patients.

Aged↗

Beneficial effects of dantrolene in the treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a report of two cases.

Two schizophrenic patients developed muscular rigidity, stupor, and hyperpyrexia consistent with neuroleptic malignant syndrome, 8 to 10 days after starting haloperidol therapy. Muscle rigidity was not affected by etybenzatropine or diazepam, but dantrolene, a direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxant, provided muscle relaxation with a concomitant decrease of fever and serum creatine kinase. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and malignant hyperthermia are clinically similar, and dantrolene is effective in both; suggesting a muscular origin of fever in these two diseases.

Adolescent↗

The brain tryptophan hydroxylase activity in the sleep-like states in frog.

The activity of the rate-limiting enzyme of serotonin biosynthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase, was determined in the brain stem in active awake frogs, and frogs in three sleep-like states: with plastic muscle tone (SLS-1), with rigid muscle tone (SLS-2), and with relaxed muscle tone (SLS-3). Significant decrease in the enzyme activity has been found in frogs in SLS-1 and SLS-2 compared to awake animals. The development in frogs a cataleptic-like immobility after treating the animals with rhythmic lighting was accompanied with a decrease in the brain tryptophan hydroxylase activity. These results provide strong evidence for the involvement of the brain serotonin in frogs in the control of evolutionary ancient sleep-like states, probably by the regulation of muscle tone.

Animals↗

Zotepine-induced catatonia as a precursor in the progression to neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

A 39-year-old man with schizophrenia developed severe catatonia, hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, tachycardia, leukocytosis, and elevated muscle enzyme levels while receiving zotepine therapy. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) was diagnosed. After withdrawal of zotepine therapy, transfer to a neurologic intensive care unit, provision of supportive care, and administration of adjunctive bromocriptine therapy, the patient's fever and catatonia subsided. Biochemical irregularities spontaneously returned to normal with no complications. Antipsychotic therapy was restarted with risperidone 12 days after the patient's NMS resolved. After more than 1 year of follow-up, he experienced no adverse events. A recent decrease in mortality from NMS is related to increased awareness of this disorder, but not to treatment with specific agents. Clinicians need to recognize NMS early; although rare, it is a potentially fatal complication of antipsychotic treatment.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

[Stiff man syndrome successfully controlled with glucocorticoids and GABA-ergic drug administration: case report].

The stiff man syndrome is a rare CNS disease of a probably autoimmunologic etiology. The paper presents a case of a 45-year-old man hospitalized in our department of neurology because of trunk muscles rigidity and painful, paroxysmal, immobilizing muscle spasms with excessive sweating. On the neurological examination he presented with a restricted range of active movements of the trunk, increased muscle tone in the shoulder girdle, abdominal and paraspinal muscles, as well as lumbar hyperlordosis. The electromyographic needle examination revealed in all his trunk muscles an excess, continuous motor unit activity at rest, diminishing after benzodiazepine administration. This confirmed our initial diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and signs. No abnormalities were found in other examinations, including the cerebrospinal fluid analysis, CT of the brain, and the spinal cord MRI. The patient was treated with glucocorticoids and GABA-ergic drugs (vigabatrin, diazepam and baclofen) with good results, i.e. a considerable amelioration of his complaints. His motor ability has increased so much that he was fully self-dependent. No deterioration in his clinical status has been noted over three years since his discharge.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Cerebellar stimulation in man. Quantitative changes in spasticity.

The effects of chronic anterior lobe cerebellar stimulation on patients with cerebral palsy have been investigated using a new method of quanitfying muscle rigidity and stretch reflexes. The ankle is oscillated sinusoidally, compliance is measured at several frequencies, and electromyographic activity of the extensor and flexor muscles is recorded. In some patients stimulation can reduce rigidity and coactivation of muscles immediately or slowly over days or months. In others no change is found.

Adolescent↗

[Myoglobinuria following anesthesia with enflurane and succinylcholine in an asthmatic child on theophylline].

An 8-year-old asthmatic child on theophylline was anesthetized with enflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen. He developed a generalized muscle rigidity after intravenous succinylcholine. Although the maximum rectal temperature was 37.9 degrees C, a marked elevation in muscle-derived enzymes and myoglobinuria were observed. The relations among theophylline which is a derivative of xanthines, inhalation anesthetics, and myoglobinuria are discussed.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗

Botulinum toxin-A improves the rigidity of progressive supranuclear palsy.

Botulinum toxin-A (botox) can improve spasticity and decrease painful spasms in the affected limbs of patients with multiple sclerosis. We report significant improvement of muscle rigidity in the upper limbs after focal administration of botulinum toxin A to 2 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.

Aged↗

Screening for mutations in the RYR1 gene in families with malignant hyperthermia.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially lethal pharmacogenetic predisposition associated with a susceptibility to volatile anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants that lead to a fulminant anesthetic crisis with hyperthermia, skeletal muscle rigidity, respiratory and metabolic acidosis, and muscle rhabdomyolysis. Malignant hyperthermia crises are caused by an abnormal regulation of the calcium release mechanism, which reflects the consequences of disturbed skeletal muscle calcium homeostasis. We screened 64 individuals of 27 unrelated families for the most frequently described mutations associated with MH in the genes RYR1 and CACNL1A3. We identified only one family with the Arg614Cys mutation but with a discordant segregating pattern to the in vitro contracture test (IVCT). To elucidate which other mechanism could lead to susceptibility in the members of this family, we tested it for further MH susceptibility loci. The same haplotype was shown to segregate with the individuals carrying the Arg614Cys mutation in chromosome 19; however, the other susceptible and equivocal individuals do not share this haplotype. Markers for the susceptible locus in chromosome regions 17q, 7q, 3q, and 5p did not segregate with the IVCT phenotype in the susceptible individuals, suggesting that the positivity of the IVCT could be attributable to other ambient factors.

Calcium↗

Immobilizing wild mountain lions (Felis concolor) with ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride.

A mixture of 120 mg ketamine hydrochloride (KHCL)/20 mg xylazine hydrochloride (XHCL)/ml was used to immobilize 37 wild mountain lions (Felis concolor) 46 times. Observations were recorded during 37 trials that included kittens, adult females, and adult males. Dosages were based on 11 mg KHCL and 1.8 mg XHCL/kg estimated body weight. Actual doses for 24 lions requiring a single injection for immobilization ranged from 4.7-15.8 mg KHCL/kg and 0.8-2.6 mg XHCL/kg. Induction, duration, and recovery times did not differ (P greater than 0.05) between the sex and age classes. Two kittens were overdosed with the drug combination, but the effects were not life threatening. Eleven other lions, nine of which were initially underdosed, required additional injections of the drug combination for safe handling. Immobilization was characterized initially by semi-consciousness, open eyelids, pupillary dilation, and muscle rigidity. Later, most lions appeared unconscious, muscles relaxed, and breathing slowed considerably. No convulsions or hypersalivation occurred. The KHCL/XHCL mixture given at approximately 11 mg KHCL and 1.8 mg XHCL/kg body weight proved useful for immobilizing wild mountain lions for research purposes. Suggestions for case of immobilized cats are included.

Animals↗

Antinociception after intrathecal biphalin application in rats: a reevaluation and novel, rapid method to confirm correct catheter tip position.

The opioid peptide dimmer biphalin [(Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-NH-)(2)] has high potency both in vivo and in vitro. Its antinociceptive activity depends on the route of administration: the lowest potency is after subcutaneous, and the highest after intrathecal or inracerebroventricular administration. We tested the analgesic activity of biphalin in a wide range of doses after intrathecal administration to rats. Doses as low as 0.005 nmol produced significant analgesia. Increasing the dose up to 2 nmol elevated and prolonged antinociception without any evident side effects, indicating that biphalin is an extremely potent opioid after intrathecal application with a wide therapeutic window. The highest dose tested (20 nmol) produced full analgesia and body rigidity lasting 2-3 h. After muscle tone returned to normal, antinociception lasted for several more hours. During these studies we observed a correlation between responses to biphalin and catheter placement. Postmortem verification of catheter placement revealed that in those rats in which high-dose biphalin did not produce analgesia or muscle rigidity, the catheter was positioned incorrectly or the flow of drug solution was obstructed. Therefore, a secondary conclusion is that assessment of transient rigidity after administration of a high dose of biphalin may be used as an easy method to confirm intrathecal placement of the catheter.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity: a paraneoplastic presentation of oat cell carcinoma of the lung. Case report.

Progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PEWR) is a rare neurological disorder, characterised by muscular rigidity, painful spasms, myoclonus, and evidence of brain stem and spinal cord involvement. A 73-year-old white man was admitted with a 10-day history of painful muscle spasms and continuous muscle rigidity on his left lower limb. He had involuntary spasms on his legs and developed encephalopathy with cranial nerves signs and long tract spinal cord symptomatology. Brain CT scan and spinal MRI were normal. The CSF showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and no other abnormalities. EMG showed involuntary muscle activity with 2-6 seconds of duration, interval of 30-50 ms and a frequency of 2/second in the left lower limb. Anti-GAD antibodies were detected in the blood. We detected radiological signs of lung cancer during the follow-up, which proved to be an oat cell carcinoma. The patient died two weeks after the diagnosis of the cancer.

Aged↗