Differences in pain perception in women using concentric and monopolar needles.

Objective: To examine pain perception using concentric needle electrodes and monopolar needle electrodes in an all-female study group without underlying hand or arm pain complaints, using study subjects as their own controls.

Design: Prospective randomized study. Two muscles--the biceps and abductor pollicis brevis (APB)--were examined using both a concentric needle electrode and a monopolar needle electrode.

Pilocarpine-induced sweat gland function in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

This investigation tested the hypothesis that cholinergic sweat function of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) (MS-Con; n = 10) is diminished relative to matched healthy control subjects (Con; n = 10). In addition, cholinergic sweat function was determined before and after 15 wk of aerobic training in a subgroup of individuals with MS (MS-Ex; n = 7). Cholinergic sweating responses were assessed via pilocarpine iontophoresis on ventral forearm skin.

Correlating phenotype and genotype in the periodic paralyses.

Background: Periodic paralyses and paramyotonia congenita are rare disorders causing disabling weakness and myotonia. Mutations in sodium, calcium, and potassium channels have been recognized as causing disease.

Objective: To analyze the clinical phenotype of patients with and without discernible genotype and to identify other mutations in ion channel genes associated with disease.

Physiological measures of therapeutic response to interferon beta-1a treatment in remitting-relapsing MS.

Objective: This pilot study was designed to determine the effects of interferon beta-1a (IFNB) therapy (Avonex) on cortically evoked motor potentials (MEPs) during resting and fatigued states in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Eight women with relapsing-remitting MS (mean age 36) and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 3.1 were evaluated before and after 3, 6, and 12 months of IFNB therapy.

Multiple sclerosis attacks are associated with picornavirus infections.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, which often follows a relapsing-remitting (RR) course with discrete attacks. MS attacks have been associated with upper respiratory infections (URIs), but the specific viruses responsible have not been identified. We studied a cohort of 16 RRMS patients experiencing URI and followed them for clinically identifiable attacks.