Neural coupling between upper and lower limb muscles in Parkinsonian Gait

Abstract Background Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degenerative muscle changes. Studies have shown that ultrasound can be useful both for diagnosis and follow-up of LGMDs patients. Objectives This study aims to measure the sensitivity and the specificity of muscle ultrasound in assessment of suspected limb girdle muscular dystrophy patients. Subjects and Methods This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on Fifty-five patients with suspected LGMD from neuromuscular unit, myology clinic, Ain Shams University hospitals and eight healthy subjects. Age was above 2 years. Both sexes were included in the study. They underwent real-time B-mode ultrasonography performed with using Logiq p9 General Electric ultrasound machine and General Electric 7-11.5 MHZ linear array ultrasound probe. All ultrasound images have been obtained and scored by a single examiner and muscle echo intensity was visually graded semiquantitative according to Heckmatt's scale. The examiner was blinded to the muscle biopsy results and clinical evaluations. Results Statistical analysis revealed that the diagnostic performance of muscle US (Heckmatt’s score) in LGMD is most sensitive when calculated in all examined upper limb and lower limb muscles, followed by lower limb muscles alone. US of upper limb was found to be the least sensitive. Conclusions Muscle ultrasound is a practical and reproducible and valid tool that can be used in assessment of suspected LGMD patients.

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Postural Responses Evoked by Unilateral Vibration of Lower Limb Muscles in Standing Subjects

Mechanoreceptors ◽

10.1007/978-1-4899-0812-4_77 ◽

1988 ◽

pp. 407-409 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marian Šaling ◽

František Hlavačka

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Lower Limb Muscles ◽

Postural Responses ◽

Limb Muscles

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Deficits in anticipatory inhibition of postural muscle activity associated with load release while standing in individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Journal of Neurophysiology ◽

10.1152/jn.00253.2012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 109 (8) ◽

pp. 1996-2006 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hidehito Tomita ◽

Yoshiki Fukaya ◽

Kenji Totsuka ◽

Yuri Tsukahara

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Muscle Activity ◽

Erector Spinae ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Control Group ◽

Lower Limb Muscles ◽

Limb Muscles ◽

Postural Muscle ◽

Load Release

This study aimed to determine whether individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (SDCP) have deficits in anticipatory inhibition of postural muscle activity. Nine individuals with SDCP (SDCP group, 3 female and 6 male, 13–24 yr of age) and nine age- and sex-matched individuals without disability (control group) participated in this study. Participants stood on a force platform, which was used to measure the position of the center of pressure (CoP), while holding a light or heavy load in front of their bodies. They then released the load by abducting both shoulders. Surface electromyograms were recorded from the rectus abdominis, erector spinae (ES), rectus femoris (RF), medial hamstring (MH), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GcM) muscles. In the control group, anticipatory inhibition before load release and load-related modulation of the inhibition were observed in all the dorsal muscles recorded (ES, MH, and GcM). In the SDCP group, similar results were obtained in the trunk muscle (ES) but not in the lower limb muscles (MH and GcM), although individual differences were seen, especially in MH. Anticipatory activation of the ventral lower limb muscles (RF and TA) and load-related modulation of the activation were observed in both participant groups. CoP path length during load release was longer in the SDCP group than in the control group. The present findings suggest that individuals with SDCP exhibit deficits in anticipatory inhibition of postural muscles at the dorsal part of the lower limbs, which is likely to result in a larger disturbance of postural equilibrium.

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