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De Riccardis L, Buccolieri A, Muci M, Pitotti E, De Robertis F, Trianni G, Manno D, Maffia M. Copper and ceruloplasmin dyshomeostasis in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis subjects. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018. [PMID: 29524632 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Although many studies have been carried out in order to understand the implication of copper (Cu) in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), the exact role that this metal plays in the disease is not still clear. Because of the lack of information in this subject, the present study compared the serum and cerebrospinal (CSF) levels of copper in MS patients in respect to a control group, matched for age and sex, finding a significant increase of metal concentrations, in both biological fluids of MS subjects. To confirm the possible impairment of Cu metabolism, we analyzed ceruloplasmin (Cp) level and activity, seeing as this protein is an established peripheral marker in diseases associated with Cu imbalance. By comparing these two parameters between control and MS subjects, we found an increase of Cp levels, associated with a decrease in Cp activity, in the second group. By analysing these data, free copper levels were calculated, significantly increased in serum of MS subjects; the increase in free copper could be one of the predisposing factors responsible for the Cu altered levels in CSF of MS patients. At the same time, this alteration could be attributable to the inability to incorporate Cu by Cp, probably due to the high oxidative environment found in serum of MS patients. Overall, all these copper alterations may play a role in MS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L De Riccardis
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, via Monteroni, Lecce, Italy
| | - A Buccolieri
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, via Monteroni, Lecce, Italy
| | - M Muci
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, via Monteroni, Lecce, Italy
| | - E Pitotti
- Laboratory of Clinical Proteomic, "Giovanni Paolo II" Hospital, ASL-Lecce, Piazzetta F. Muratore, Lecce, Italy
| | - F De Robertis
- Department of Neurology, "Vito Fazzi" Hospital, ASL-Lecce, Italy
| | - G Trianni
- Department of Neurology, "Vito Fazzi" Hospital, ASL-Lecce, Italy
| | - D Manno
- Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - M Maffia
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, via Monteroni, Lecce, Italy; Laboratory of Clinical Proteomic, "Giovanni Paolo II" Hospital, ASL-Lecce, Piazzetta F. Muratore, Lecce, Italy.
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Bettini S, Giancane G, Pagano R, Bonfrate V, Salvatore L, Madaghiele M, Buccolieri A, Manno D, Serra A, Maruccio G, Monteduro AG, Syrgiannis Z, Valli L, Prato M. A simple approach to synthetize folic acid decorated magnetite@SiO2 nanostructures for hyperthermia applications. J Mater Chem B 2017; 5:7547-7556. [DOI: 10.1039/c7tb02002c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Folic Acid decorated SPIONs selective internalization was monitored by an innovative Ellipsometry imaging approach.
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Buccolieri G, Nassisi V, Torrisi L, Buccolieri A, Castellano A, Di Giulio M, Giuffreda E, Delle Side D, Velardi L. Analysis of selective laser cleaning of patina on bronze coins. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/508/1/012032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Sacco D, Brescia M, Sgaramella A, Casiello G, Buccolieri A, Ogrinc N, Sacco A. Discrimination between Southern Italy and foreign milk samples using spectroscopic and analytical data. Food Chem 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.11.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Serra A, Filippo E, Re M, Palmisano M, Vittori-Antisari M, Buccolieri A, Manno D. Non-functionalized silver nanoparticles for a localized surface plasmon resonance-based glucose sensor. Nanotechnology 2009; 20:165501. [PMID: 19420570 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/16/165501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The optical properties of non-functionalized silver nanoparticles in ethanol solution have been analyzed and a progressive shift of localized surface plasmon resonances caused by the adding of increasing quantities of glucose has been observed. To understand this occurrence, the interaction of glucose molecules with the silver nanoparticle surface has been investigated using Raman spectroscopy. In addition, high resolution transmission electron microscopy shows the presence of superstructures on the silver nanoparticle surface that can be imputed to the presence of glucose.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Serra
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università del Salento, Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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Cardellicchio N, Buccolieri A, Di Leo A, Giandomenico S, Spada L. Levels of metals in reared mussels from Taranto Gulf (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy). Food Chem 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Avanzino L, Marinelli L, Buccolieri A, Trompetto C, Abbruzzese G. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease presenting as corticobasal degeneration: a neurophysiological study. Neurol Sci 2006; 27:118-21. [PMID: 16816909 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-006-0611-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2005] [Accepted: 02/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) can occasionally present with a clinical picture resembling a corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Transcallosal inhibition, as tested by focal transcranial magnetic stimulation, is frequently absent or highly disrupted in CBD patients. We report a case of CJD presenting at the beginning of the disease as a CBD in which the ipsilateral silent period (iSP) was present and well detectable. This brief report shows that study of the iSP may be a useful diagnostic tool in order to differentiate CBD from syndromes presenting with similar clinical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Avanzino
- Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology & Genetics, University of Genoa, Via de Toni 5, I-16132, Genoa, Italy
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Sacco D, Brescia MA, Buccolieri A, Caputi Jambrenghi A. Geographical origin and breed discrimination of Apulian lamb meat samples by means of analytical and spectroscopic determinations. Meat Sci 2005; 71:542-8. [PMID: 22060931 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2005.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2004] [Revised: 04/07/2005] [Accepted: 04/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
With the aim of finding parameters capable of characterizing meat according to geographical origin, twenty-five lamb meat samples from three areas located in Apulia (Southern Italy) were analysed for moisture, ash, fat and protein content, stable isotope ratios ((15)N/(14)N and (13)C/(12)C), major elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and trace metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Cr). (1)H high resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR spectra were also obtained for all the samples. The advantages of the (1)H HR-MAS NMR technique are that sample preparation is easy, since the spectrum is obtained directly on the minced solid sample, and that information is acquired for a large number of metabolites (amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, etc.). The application of multivariate statistical analysis to two data sets containing tissue composition results together with the metals contents and (1)H HR-MAS NMR spectral data together with isotope ratios, respectively, provided in both cases a satisfactory origin differentiation of lamb meat samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Sacco
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
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Trompetto C, Buccolieri A, Marchese R, Marinelli L, Michelozzi G, Abbruzzese G. Impairment of transcallosal inhibition in patients with corticobasal degeneration. Clin Neurophysiol 2003; 114:2181-7. [PMID: 14580617 DOI: 10.1016/s1388-2457(03)00213-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the motor function of the transcallosal pathways in patients with clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration (CBD). METHODS In a group of 7 patients (4 males, 3 females; mean age 70.6 years) with clinical diagnosis of probable CBD (and in 8 age-matched normal controls) we evaluated the suppression of the ongoing voluntary EMG activity in the opponens pollicis muscle induced by focal transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the ipsilateral hand motor cortex. Such ipsilateral silent period (iSP) is mediated from one motor cortex to the contralateral side via a transcallosal pathway. In addition, CBD patients were investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological assessment. RESULTS iSP was normal in 4 CBD patients, while it was bilaterally disrupted in the other 3. MRI showed an atrophy of the corpus callosum (middle-posterior part of the trunk) in the CBD patients with iSP disruption. Neuropsychological evaluation showed in patients with iSP impairment a decrease of verbal fluencies associated with an impairment of attentive function. CONCLUSIONS A proportion of CBD patients shows physiological evidence of impaired callosal motor function and atrophy of the corpus callosum on MRI, possibly correlated to dysphasic and cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Trompetto
- Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Via de Toni 5, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the same mechanisms underlie muscle relaxation in proximal and distal arm muscles of normal subjects. METHODS Fourteen healthy subjects were studied using a simple visual reaction time paradigm. Relaxation reaction time (R-RT) and contraction reaction time (C-RT) were compared across different tasks involving distal (first dorsal interosseus, FDI, flexor carpi radialis, FCR) and proximal (biceps brachii, BB, triceps brachii, TR) arm muscles. Changes of FCR H-reflex before and during voluntary relaxation were investigated in two subjects. RESULTS No significant difference was observed between R-RT and C-RT in the distal muscles. The R-RT was significantly shorter than C-RT in both the BB and TR muscles. The relaxation latency (R-RT) was significantly correlated to the subjects' age in all the muscles except the FDI. No inhibition of the FCR H-reflex could be observed in the 20 ms preceding muscle relaxation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that neural mechanisms contribute differently to the relaxation of muscles with a different functional role. Voluntary relaxation in distal arm muscles is mainly related to the reduction of motor cortical output, while in proximal muscles a spinal disfacilitation is also present and possibly sustained by the modulation of presynaptic inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Buccolieri
- Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, Section of Neurology, University of Genoa, Italy
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Trompetto C, Buccolieri A, Marinelli L, Abbruzzese G. Differential modulation of motor evoked potential and silent period by activation of intracortical inhibitory circuits. Clin Neurophysiol 2001; 112:1822-7. [PMID: 11595140 DOI: 10.1016/s1388-2457(01)00644-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of activation of intracortical inhibitory circuits, as tested by short interval (3 ms) paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with a conditioning-test paradigm, on the electromyographic (EMG) pause (silent period, SP) following the motor evoked potential (MEP) in normal subjects. METHODS SPs and MEPs were recorded from the right first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle during a tonic voluntary contraction (from 70 to 90% of the maximum). Using a focal coil, we compared the SP duration after single-pulse TMS, paired-pulse TMS and single-pulse TMS of reduced intensity such as to evoke MEPs matched in size to the conditioned ones after paired-pulse TMS. In addition, we compared in a control experiment the duration of the SP following matched size MEPs evoked, respectively, by focal TMS with preferential activation of indirect I1- or I3-waves. RESULTS SP duration after paired-pulse TMS was significantly longer than after single-pulse TMS evoking MEPs of a similar size. In no case the SP duration was longer when focal TMS preferentially activated I1-waves. CONCLUSIONS The conditioning sub-threshold stimulus is more powerful in reducing the MEP size than in cutting down the subsequent EMG silence, suggesting that the neural circuits underlying MEP and SP are, at least in part, different.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Trompetto
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Vision, Via A. de Toni 5, 1-16132, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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Abbruzzese G, Marchese R, Buccolieri A, Gasparetto B, Trompetto C. Abnormalities of sensorimotor integration in focal dystonia: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. Brain 2001; 124:537-45. [PMID: 11222454 DOI: 10.1093/brain/124.3.537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been postulated that sensorimotor integration is abnormal in dystonia. We investigated changes in motor cortical excitability induced by peripheral stimulation in patients with focal hand dystonia (12 patients with hand cramps) and with cervical dystonia (nine with spasmodic torticollis) compared with 16 age-matched normal controls. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) to focal (figure-of-eight coil) transcranial magnetic stimulation of the hand area were recorded from the right abductor pollicis brevis (APB), first dorsal interosseus (FDI), flexor carpi radialis and extensor carpi radialis muscles. Changes of test MEP size following conditioning stimulation of the right median nerve (or of the index finger) at conditioning-test (C-T) intervals of 50, 200, 600 and 1000 ms were analysed. Peripheral stimulation significantly reduced test MEP size in the APB and FDI muscles of normal control and spasmodic torticollis patients. The inhibitory effect was larger upon median nerve stimulation and reached a maximum at the C-T interval of 200 ms. On the contrary, hand cramp patients showed a significant facilitation of test MEP size. This study suggests that MEP suppression following peripheral stimulation is defective in patients with focal hand dystonia. Central processing of sensory input is abnormal in dystonia and may contribute to increased motor cortical excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Abbruzzese
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Vision, University of Genoa, Via de Toni 5, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
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Abstract
We compared intracortical inhibition (ICI) following paired transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) (interstimulus interval, ISI: 3 ms) and the inhibition of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to TMS induced by stimulation of the median nerve (ISI: 200 ms) in six normal subjects. MEPs evoked by focal TMS were recorded in the relaxed opponens pollicis muscle and the size of the conditioned responses was expressed as a percentage of the size of the non-conditioned responses. Maximal ICI, ranging from 4 to 40%, and inhibition after median nerve stimulation, ranging from 11 to 68%, were significantly correlated. The results suggest that both phenomena are possibly mediated by the same gamma aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) inhibitory circuits and that afferent inputs to the cortex may contribute to their physiological activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Trompetto
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Vision, University of Genoa, Via de Toni, 16132, Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the specificity of motor cortical excitability changes in parkinsonian syndromes and their relevance to the pathophysiology of cardinal parkinsonian features. METHODS Paired transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess cortico-cortical inhibition (CCI) and facilitation (CCF) in the opponens pollicis muscle of patients with atypical, non-L-dopa- (LD) responsive parkinsonism. RESULTS Compared with age-matched normal control subjects, CCI (interstimulus interval [ISI], 3 ms) was significantly reduced in 10 patients with predominantly parkinsonian multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) and in seven with vascular parkinsonism (VP), but not in four with predominantly cerebellar MSA. No significant change of CCF (ISI, 12 ms) was observed. No correlation was found between the amount of CCI and clinical status as evaluated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). In 10 patients (5 MSA-P, 5 VP), CCI was significantly increased by LD acute administration without concurrent clinical changes. CONCLUSIONS Abnormalities of CCI are not peculiar to idiopathic Parkinson's disease and seem unlikely to underlie any specific parkinsonian feature, but rather possibly reflect a nonspecific imbalance of inhibitory and facilitatory motor cortical circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Marchese
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Vision, University of Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To verify the usefulness of early recording of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in predicting motor outcome after stroke and to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying functional recovery following stroke. METHODS We performed a comparative analysis of the behaviour of motor responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the ipsilateral and contralateral motor cortex in the affected and unaffected thenar muscles of 21 consecutive patients with acute stroke. RESULTS According to the behaviour of MEPs in the affected muscles, patients could be divided into 3 groups: (a) 10 subjects with absent responses to TMS of both the damaged and undamaged hemisphere, whose motor recovery was poor and related to the size of MEPs on the normal side; (b) 5 subjects with larger MEPs upon TMS of the ipsilateral (undamaged) than of the contralateral (damaged) cortex, whose good recovery possibly resulted from the emergence of ipsilateral pathways; (c) 6 subjects with larger MEPs in the affected than in the unaffected muscles, whose good recovery was possibly subserved by alternative circuits taking over cortical deafferentation. CONCLUSIONS Early MEP recording in acute stroke provides useful information on the clinical prognosis and the different mechanisms of motor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Trompetto
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Vision, University of Genoa, Via de Toni 5, I-16132, Genoa, Italy
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Trompetto C, Assini A, Buccolieri A, Marchese R, Abbruzzese G. Intracortical inhibition after paired transcranial magnetic stimulation depends on the current flow direction. Clin Neurophysiol 1999; 110:1106-10. [PMID: 10402098 DOI: 10.1016/s1388-2457(99)00043-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess whether cortico-cortical inhibition (CCI) induced by paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is influenced by 'preferential' or 'non-preferential' activation of the motor cortex. METHODS Paired-pulse TMS (conditioning-test paradigm with interstimulus intervals of 2-5 ms) with a round coil centered over the vertex was performed in 10 normal subjects using opposite current flow directions. The amount of CCI in the opponens pollicis and first dorsal interosseus muscles was determined. RESULTS When a clockwise current was induced in the brain (side A of the coil uppermost) a 'preferential' activation of the left hemisphere (right hand muscles) was observed, but the suppression of the test response by the conditioning stimulus (i.e. the CCI) was significantly greater in the left hand muscles. The situation was reversed when an anticlockwise current (side B of the coil uppermost) was induced in the brain. These effects occurred independently of the interstimulus interval, or of the absolute conditioning stimulus strength. CONCLUSIONS CCI is more effective in the 'non-preferentially' stimulated hemisphere, and the neural elements generating the indirect I3 wave are more sensitive to intracortical inhibition than those generating the I1 wave.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Trompetto
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Neurorehabilitation, University of Genoa, Italy
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Abstract
Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation with a conditioning-test paradigm was used to assess changes of corticocortical inhibition and facilitation during mental simulation of sequential finger movements in normal subjects. The cortico-cortical inhibition (at interstimulus interval, ISI, of 3 ms) was significantly reduced in the relaxed opponens pollicis (OP) muscle during motor imagery, regardless of the absolute size of the test motor evoked potential. The amount of cortico-cortical inhibition was similar to that observed during a mild voluntary contraction of the OP. No change of cortico-cortical facilitation was observed at the ISI of 12 ms. The data support the hypothesis that similar neural structures, including the primary motor cortex, are activated during both mental simulation and actual execution of motor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Abbruzzese
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Neurorehabilitation, University of Genoa, Italy.
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Abbruzzese G, Assini A, Buccolieri A, Schieppati M, Trompetto C. Comparison of intracortical inhibition and facilitation in distal and proximal arm muscles in humans. J Physiol 1999; 514 ( Pt 3):895-903. [PMID: 9882759 PMCID: PMC2269103 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.895ad.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
1. Cortico-cortical inhibition and facilitation induced by paired transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the human motor cortex were investigated in the distal muscle opponens pollicis (OP) and the proximal muscle biceps brachii (BB) of normal subjects. 2. The test response evoked by TMS (125 % of motor threshold, MTh) in the relaxed OP and BB muscles was inhibited by a conditioning TMS (80 % of MTh) at short interstimulus intervals (ISIs; 2-5 ms) and facilitated at longer ISIs (10-25 ms). The test response was significantly less inhibited at short ISIs and more facilitated at long ISIs in the BB than OP. 3. The MTh at rest was significantly lower for the OP than for the BB, indicating a greater excitability of OP cortical area. However, the above pattern of inhibition and facilitation was preserved both when the stimulus intensity was adjusted to evoke test responses of matched size in the two muscles and within an ample range of conditioning stimulus intensities. 4. The use of a circular coil or a focal figure-of-eight coil produced no qualitative differences in the pattern of inhibition and facilitation in either muscle. 5. The significant difference in MTh between muscles was lost during voluntary activation. In both muscles, pre-innervation abolished the cortico-cortical facilitation and reduced the cortico-cortical inhibition. However, the latter remained larger in the OP than BB muscle. 6. We suggest that the different potency of intracortical inhibitory and facilitatory circuits directed towards distal and proximal arm muscles is related to their diverse prevalent functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Abbruzzese
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Neurorehabilitation, University of Genoa, Via A. De Toni 5, I-16132 Genoa, Italy.
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Trompetto C, Caponnetto C, Buccolieri A, Marchese R, Abbruzzese G. Responses of masseter muscles to transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1998; 109:309-14. [PMID: 9751293 DOI: 10.1016/s0924-980x(98)00025-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We recorded motor responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in the masseter muscles of 30 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 10 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and 22 age-matched normal controls. Responses to direct activation of the trigeminal motor root (R-MEPs) were normal both in ALS and CSM patients. Responses to activation of cortico-bulbar descending fibers (C-MEPs) were absent or delayed in 19 ALS patients (63.3%). Abnormalities of masseter C-MEPs were more frequent than abnormalities of limb MEPs and could be observed both in patients with (77.8%) and without (41.7%) clinical bulbar signs. Masseter C-MEPs were normal in all CSM patients. Recording masseter responses to TMS can reveal the frequent impairment of cortico-bulbar projections in ALS and can be useful in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord compression disorders mimicking ALS because of combination of upper and lower motor neuron signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Trompetto
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Neurorehabilitation, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
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Abbruzzese G, Buccolieri A, Marchese R, Trompetto C, Mandich P, Schieppati M. Intracortical inhibition and facilitation are abnormal in Huntington's disease: a paired magnetic stimulation study. Neurosci Lett 1997; 228:87-90. [PMID: 9209105 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(97)00363-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation with a conditioning-test paradigm was used to assess cortico-cortical interactions in the motor cortex of 11 patients with Huntington's disease (HD) as compared to normal controls (NC). In the HD patients, threshold and amplitude of motor potentials evoked in the opponens pollicis muscle at rest were not significantly different from NC. The cortico-cortical inhibition at interstimulus intervals of 2-5 ms was significantly reduced and the cortico-cortical facilitation at longer intervals (10-25 ms) was significantly enhanced. Changes of intracortical inhibition and facilitation were related to clinical rating of choreic dyskinesias. The data support the hypothesis of a functional impairment of the motor cortex-basal ganglia loop in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Abbruzzese
- Department of Neurological Sciences and Neurorehabilitation, Genova, Italy
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Parnetti L, Mecocci P, Petrini A, Longo A, Buccolieri A, Senin U. Neuropsychological results of long-term therapy with oxiracetam in patients with dementia of Alzheimer type and multi-infarct dementia in comparison with a control group. Neuropsychobiology 1989; 22:97-100. [PMID: 2518332 DOI: 10.1159/000118599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The cognitive and behavioral effects of oxiracetam therapy during long-term treatment in patients with dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT) and multi-infarct dementia (MID) were studied in comparison with a historical control group. Twenty DAT/MID outpatients, aged 54-86 years, received oxiracetam (800 mg twice a day) for a period of 6 months. Another 20 DAT/MID outpatients, aged 67-85 years, were selected from our clinical records in order to obtain a control group of patients matched for age, sex, diagnosis, baseline Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and follow-up duration. All the patients were diagnosed as having mild to moderate degrees of dementia as defined by a baseline MMSE score between 14 and 24. The patients of both groups underwent, both at baseline and after 6 months, the following neuropsychological tests: MMSE, Idiopathic Cerebral Dysfunction Scale, Babcock Test, Gibson Spiral, Toulouse-Pieron Test. Statistical analysis of experimental data demonstrated that at baseline the two groups were comparable. At the end of the study period the oxiracetam group scored significantly better on the majority of the tests evaluating memory, attention, orientation, concentration and psychomotricity than the control group, in which a worsening trend was seen on the whole. No side effects were seen during oxiracetam treatment. The present study, showing positive clinical findings after long-term oxiracetam therapy in controlled conditions, confirms that this drug can be a useful pharmacological treatment for mild to moderate degrees of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Parnetti
- Cattedra Gerontologia e Geriatria, Policlinico Monteluce, Perugia, Italia
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