Differences in excitability between median and superficial radial sensory axons.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate differences in excitability properties of human median and superficial radial sensory axons (e.g., axons innervating the glabrous and hairy skin in the hand).

Electrophysiological assessment of corticorespiratory pathway function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Respiratory muscle paralysis is inevitable in the clinical course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Our objective was to electrophysiologically assess the function of the phrenic nerve and diaphragm motor cortex in ALS. Phrenic nerve M waves, diaphragm motor evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation, and their clinical correlations were analyzed in 29 ALS patients.

Utility of trapezius EMG for diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Needle electromyography (EMG) of the tongue is traditionally used as a key to the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although relaxation of the tongue is often difficult to achieve. Recently, frequent abnormalities in the EMGs of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and upper trapezius muscles in ALS have been reported. To elucidate the diagnostic utility of these muscles we performed a multicenter prospective study to examine EMGs of the tongue (genioglossus), SCM, and trapezius in 104 ALS or suspected ALS patients.

[Autopsy case of atypical type of alzheimer's disease clinically diagnosed as corticobasal degeneration].

A 60-year-old, right-handed man developed gait disturbance. He also had difficulty in dressing and demonstrated depressive status, but did not have memory impairment. He was diagnosed as having corticobasal degeneration (CBD) because of right cortical atrophy and contralateral movement disorder.