The change of cortical motor neuron excitability in periphearl nerve injury

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

To investigate changes in cortical motor neuron excitability after peripheral nerve injury, evoked spinal cord potentials (ESCPs) following hemispheric transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were recorded in awaken patients with unilateral brachial plexus injury. No significant change was observed in the threshold of ESCPs following TMS contra-lateral to the injured upper limb compared to that following TMS contra-lateral to the intact upper limb. Several ESCP components were recorded following high stimulus hemispheric TMS. No significant changes were observed in comparison with number, latency and amplitude of ESCPs following high stimulus TMS contra-lateral to the injured upper limb and those following TMS contra-lateral to the intact upper limb.Conclusion: From a study of ESCPs following single TMS, no evidence was obtained that cortical motor neuron excitability changes in patients with traumatic unilateral brachial plexus injury at relatively early stages.