Assessment of motor neuron excitability in parkinsonian rigidity by the F wave

✍ Scribed by Giovanni Abbruzzese; Marco Vische; Sandro Ratto; Michele Abbruzzese; Emilio Favale

• Book ID: 104718019
• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 377 KB
• Volume: 232
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0340-5354
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00313788

✦ Synopsis

F-wave responses from abductor pollicis brevis muscle occurred more frequently, with a larger amplitude and longer duration in rigid parkinsonian patients than in age-matched normal controls. F-wave potentiation during voluntary contraction was impaired in parkinsonian patients. These findings suggest that spinal motor neuron excitability is enhanced in rigidity. F-wave amplitude was significantly correlated to the clinical evaluation of motor disability, so that the F wave may be regarded as a useful approach to quantitative evaluation of rigidity.