Afferent-induced facilitation of primary motor cortex excitability in the region controlling hand muscles in humans.

Sensory inputs from cutaneous and limb receptors are known to influence motor cortex network excitability. Although most recent studies have focused on the inhibitory influences of afferent inputs on arm motor responses evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), facilitatory effects are rarely considered. In the present work, we sought to establish how proprioceptive sensory inputs modulate the excitability of the primary motor cortex region controlling certain hand and wrist muscles.

Fluvoxamine in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a chronic, often severe condition that is associated with considerable long term morbidity and suffering. Potent serotonin reuptake inhibitors are now regarded as first line treatments and their efficacy has been established in a series of placebo-controlled studies. The first of these compounds to become available, clomipramine, has undesirable effects on a number of other receptor systems and is associated with marked anticholinergic side effects.