OBJECTIVETo investigate the high-risk factors for the quality of general movements (GMs), which has a predictive value for brain dysfunction in infants.

METHODSA total of 618 infants in the stage of writhing movements and 539 infants in the stage of fidgety movements were selected separately for the evaluation of GMs. The high-risk factors for the quality of GMs in infants were analyzed by ANOVA, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTSMultivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the factors significantly associated with the quality of GMs in the stage of writhing movements were gestational age (OR=0.762, P<0.001), birth weight (OR=0.264, P<0.001), severe asphyxia (OR=2.445, P=0.012), and intrauterine distress (OR=4.865, P<0.001); the factors significantly associated with the quality of GMs in the stage of fidget movements were gestational age (OR=0.786, P=0.003), birth weight (OR=0.217, P<0.001), severe asphyxia (OR=3.765, P=0.001), and hyperbilirubinemia (OR=2.640, P=0.028).

CONCLUSIONSLow gestational age, low birth weight, severe asphyxia, hyperbilirubinemia and intrauterine distress are high-risk factors for abnormal GMs in infants, and early screening and intervention should be performed to reduce the incidence of abnormal nervous system sequelae.

Asphyxia ; complications ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Movement ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; Risk Factors

Anterior disc displacement is a common subtype seen in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients. It may cause mandibular movement disorders, such as clicking of joint, intermittent closed lock, limitation of mouth opening, etc. These disorders may affect the life qualities of patients. Anterior disc displacement may also cause mandibular malformations, especially among adolescents, which may affect the growth of condyle, therefore may have a correlation with mandibular retrusion or mandibular deviation when grown up. This paper going to review the influences of anterior disc displacement on oral mandibular function and morphology and their biological mechanisms.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Mandible ; abnormalities ; pathology ; Mandibular Condyle ; growth & development ; Mandibular Diseases ; etiology ; Movement ; Retrognathia ; etiology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology

Brain Stem ; physiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; etiology ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; Myoclonus ; etiology ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Reflex, Startle ; Tremor ; etiology

The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) is located in the dorso-lateral part of the ponto-mesencephalic tegmentum. The PPN is composed of two groups of neurons: one containing acetylcholine, and the other containing non-cholinergic neurotransmitters (GABA, glutamate). The PPN is connected reciprocally with the limbic system, the basal ganglia nuclei (globus pallidus, substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus), and the brainstem reticular formation. The caudally directed corticolimbic-ventral striatal-ventral pallidal-PPN-pontomedullary reticular nuclei-spinal cord pathway seems to be involved in the initiation, acceleration, deceleration, and termination of locomotion. This pathway is under the control of the deep cerebellar and basal ganglia nuclei at the level of the PPN, particularly via potent inputs from the medial globus pallidus, substantia nigra pars reticulata and subthalamic nucleus. The PPN sends profuse ascending cholinergic efferent fibers to almost all the thalamic nuclei, to mediate phasic events in rapid-eye-movement sleep. Experimental evidence suggests that the PPN, along with other brain stem nuclei, is also involved in anti-nociception and startle reactions. In idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and parkinson plus syndrome, overactive pallidal and nigral inhibitory inputs to the PPN may cause sequential occurrences of PPN hypofunction, decreased excitatory PPN input to the substantia nigra, and aggravation of striatal dopamine deficiency. In addition, neuronal loss in the PPN itself may cause dopamine-r esistant parkinsonian deficits, including gait disorders, postural instability and sleep disturbances. In patients with IPD, such deficits may improve after posteroventral pallidotomy, but not after thalamotomy. One of the possible explanations for such differences is that dopamine-resistant parkinsonian deficits are mediated to the PPN by the descending pallido-PPN inhibitory fibers, which leave the pallido-thalamic pathways before they reach the thalamic targets.
Animal ; Basal Ganglia/cytology ; Human ; Mesencephalon/physiology* ; Mesencephalon/cytology ; Movement Disorders/etiology* ; Pons/physiology* ; Pons/cytology ; Thalamus/cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of motor dysfunction of the lower extremities with the imaging appearances and clinical features of metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCCs).

METHODSFrom July 2006 to December 2007, 26 successive patients with metastases of the thoracic, lumbar and the cervical spine were treated in our department. Forty-three main involved vertebra in all 26 patients were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, and were scored according motor dysfunction in this study. Fourteen patients (25 vertebrae) had motor dysfunction.

RESULTSAmong 26 patients, 12 cases with visceral metastasis,in which had motor dysfunction in 10 cases; 14 cases without visceral metastasis, in which had motor dysfunction in 4 cases; comparison between two groups, P=0.0079. Among vertebral presence of continuity of 43 main involved vertebrae, 16 vertebrae had motor dysfunction;among vertebral absence of continuity, motor dysfunction occurred in 9 vertebrae, comparison between two groups, P=0.1034. Among vertebral presence of lamina involvement of 43 main involved vertebrae, 11 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of lamina involvement, motor dysfunction occurred in 14 vertebrae, comparison between two groups, P=0.020 5. Among vertebral presence of protruding of vertebral posterior wall of 43 main involved vertebrae, 12 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of protruding of vertebral posterior wall, 13 vertebrae had motor dysfunction, comparison between two groups, P=0.0334. Among vertebral presence of involvement epidural space of 43 main involved vertebrae, 11 vertebrae had motor dysfunction; among vertebral absence of involvement epidural space, 14 vertebrae had motor dysfunction, comparison between two groups, P=0.003 6. Such factors as age, gender, whether or not received regular chem before admission, back pain degree of metastasis, received regular chem before admission, therapeutic efficacy of primary tumor, number of bony metastases outside spine, number of the main involved vertebrae, level of vertebral metastases location, level of continuous involved vertebrae, vertebral-body involvement, fracture of anterior column, fracture of posterior wall, and pedicle involvement had no effects on incidence of motor dysfunction due to MESCC (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONMESCC with visceral metastases, lamina involvement, presence of outstanding buttocks sign of posterior wall,involvement epidural space tended to cause symptomatic MESCC. Incidence of continuity of main involved vertebrae occurred more frequently in the CUTS compared with other levels of spine.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; Radiography ; Spinal Cord Compression ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Spinal Neoplasms ; complications ; secondary

OBJECTIVETo explore surgical treatment of gliomas involving the supplementary motor area (SMA) in the superior frontal gyrus.

METHODSClinical data and follow-up outcome of 16 patients with low graded astrocytomas involving the supplementary motor area were analyzed.

RESULTSSMA syndrome was developed in 6 patients in whom the posterior tumor resection line was at a distance of more than 1 cm from the precentral sulcus and resolved after 12 months. Hemiplegia occurred however in 8 patients in whom the resection line was less than 1 cm to precentral sulcus and only resolved in 3 patients during follow period 12 months.

CONCLUSIONSWhen the resection is performed at a distance of less than 1 cm from the precentral sulcus, surgery for gliomas of involving the supplementary motor area in the superior frontal gyrus may be result in permanent morbidity.

Adult ; Astrocytoma ; surgery ; Brain Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Frontal Lobe ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Recovery of Function ; Speech Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology

Dermoid sinuses and meningoceles are seldom encountered in the cervical region. Besides, to the best of our knowledge, the coexistence of these types of congenital abnormalities with recurrent meningitis, as well as with mirror movement, has never been reported before. A 14-year-old female with the diagnosis of recurrent meningitis was referred to our clinic from the Department of Infectious Diseases. She had a cervical meningocele mass that was leaking cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and an associated mirror movement symptom. Spina bifida, dermoid sinus and meningocele lesions were demonstrated at the C2 level on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). She underwent an operation to remove the sinus tract together with the sac, and at the same time the tethered cord between the sac base and the distal end of the spinal cord was detached. The diagnosis of dermoid sinus and meningocele was confirmed histopathologically. These kinds of congenital pathologies in the cervical region may also predispose the patient to other diseases or symptoms. Herein, a case of meningocele associated with cervical dermoid sinus tract which presented with recurrent meningitis and a rare manifestation of mirror movement is discussed. Neurosurgeons should consider the possible coexistence of mirror movement and recurrent meningitis in the treatment of these types of congenital abnormalities.
Adolescent ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Dermoid Cyst/complications/*pathology/surgery ; Female ; Human ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis/complications/*pathology ; Meningocele/complications/*pathology/surgery ; Movement Disorders/etiology/pathology ; Recurrence

This Stroke Rehabilitation Apparatus uses the electromyography triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation as the means of the major therapeutics, and the fastigial nucleus stimulation as the means of the assistant therapeutics. This paper introduces the overall structure of the apparatus, the principle of its component, the EMG processing based on local nonlinear projective filtering algorithm and the alternating treatment modes. The therapeutic apparatus has the features of non-invasiveness, safety, convenience and strong alternating capability.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; instrumentation ; Electromyography ; methods ; Humans ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology ; rehabilitation ; Psychomotor Performance ; physiology ; Recovery of Function ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; Stroke Rehabilitation

OBJECTIVENumerous studies have described both motor defects and cognitive impairments in several strains of rodents following 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) intoxication. In the present study, we investigated spatial recognition memory in Kunming mice that just recovered from motor defects induced by 3-NP.

METHODSMouse model was made by systemic subacute 3-NP treatment, and spatial recognition memory was measured through the Y-maze Test, a simple two-trial recognition test.

RESULTS(1) On day 15 following 3-NP treatment, affected Kunming mice did not show motor defects in the Rotarod test and presented normal gait again. (2) In the following Y-maze test after 1h interval, the percentage (90.0%) of mice showing novel arm preference in 3-NP treatment group was significantly higher than the random chance level (50%), although it was only slightly higher than that (83.3%) in control group. On day 45 after 3-NP treatment, mice failed to choose unfamiliar novel arm as first choice, and the same occured in the control group. (3) For both post-intoxicated (on day 15 and day 45 following 3-NP treatment) and control groups, the duration in the novel arm and the frequency of entering it, were longer and higher compared with familiar start and other arms. For these mice that recently recovered from motor defects following 3-NP intoxication, no spatial memory deficits were observed through Y-maze Test.

CONCLUSIONKunming mice used in our assays might possess resistance to cognitive impairment induced by 3-NP, which is consistent with previous findings in Swiss EPM-M1 mice.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Convulsants ; toxicity ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; etiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; Nitro Compounds ; toxicity ; Poisoning ; complications ; etiology ; Propionates ; toxicity ; Recovery of Function ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rotarod Performance Test ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the skilled reaching test is an objective method for evaluating long-term neurological deficits after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

METHODSIn a reaching box, mice were trained to reach food pellets with their left forelimb through a 0.5 cm slit for 3 weeks. Then focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occluding the right middle cerebral artery, and the percentage of success in obtaining food was observed for 4 weeks. In comparison, the neurological deficit score, the holding angle in an inclined board test, and right turns in a corner test were simultaneously performed. At the end of the experiments, brain infarcts and neuron densities were determined.

RESULTAfter focal cerebral ischemia, the percentage of success in the reaching test was reduced, the right turns in the corner test were increased, the neurological deficit score was increased, and the holding angle in the inclined board test was reduced as well. The holding angle recovered 5 d after ischemia, whereas other 3 indicators remained abnormal until 4 weeks. At the end of the experiments, the brain infarct volumes were increased, and the neuron densities in the cortex, hippocampal CA1 region and striatum were reduced in ischemic mice.

CONCLUSIONThe skill reaching test is an objective and stable method for evaluating long-term neurological deficits after focal cerebral ischemia in mice.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; physiology ; Brain ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Cell Count ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Movement Disorders ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Neurologic Examination ; methods ; Neurons ; pathology ; Psychomotor Performance ; physiology