Modulation of human motor cortex excitability by valproate.
Summary of "Modulation of human motor cortex excitability by valproate."
RATIONALE:
Valproate is widely used in the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain disorders, but its exact mechanisms of action is still incompletely understood.
OBJECTIVES:
Here we used transcranial magnetic stimulation to explore effects of a single dose of 800 mg valproate on motor cortex excitability in healthy volunteers.
METHODS:
Motor threshold, peripheral maximum M-wave, cortical silent period short intracortical inhibition, intracortical facilitation, and motor evoked potential recruitment were assessed before and 1.5 h after the administration of valproate in 15 (eight male, seven female) healthy volunteers.
RESULTS:
None of the measures of cortical excitability were found to be altered significantly after valproate.
CONCLUSION:
These results are in line with previous findings of unaffected intracortical excitability after a single dose of valproate, suggesting that valproate's immediate in vivo actions do not resemble the effects of classic GABAergic compounds.
Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstraße 84, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Psychopharmacology
ISSN: 1432-2072
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21161183
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-010-2126-y
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
A technique that involves the use of electrical coils on the head to generate a brief magnetic field which reaches the CEREBRAL CORTEX. It is coupled with ELECTROMYOGRAPHY response detection to assess cortical excitability by the threshold required to induce MOTOR EVOKED POTENTIALS. This method is also used for BRAIN MAPPING, to study NEUROPHYSIOLOGY, and as a substitute for ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY for treating DEPRESSION. Induction of SEIZURES limits its clinical usage.
Paraparesis, Spastic
Mild or moderate loss of motor function accompanied by spasticity in the lower extremities. This condition is a manifestation of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES that cause injury to the motor cortex or descending motor pathways.
Motor Cortex
Area of the frontal lobe concerned with primary motor control. It lies anterior to the central sulcus.
Antigenic Modulation
Loss of detectable antigen from the surface of a cell after incubation with antibodies. This is one method in which some tumors escape detection by the immune system. Antigenic modulation of target antigens also reduces the therapeutic effectiveness of treatment by monoclonal antibodies.
Motor Neuron Disease
Diseases characterized by a selective degeneration of the motor neurons of the spinal cord, brainstem, or motor cortex. Clinical subtypes are distinguished by the major site of degeneration. In AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS there is involvement of upper, lower, and brainstem motor neurons. In progressive muscular atrophy and related syndromes (see MUSCULAR ATROPHY, SPINAL) the motor neurons in the spinal cord are primarily affected. With progressive bulbar palsy (BULBAR PALSY, PROGRESSIVE), the initial degeneration occurs in the brainstem. In primary lateral sclerosis, the cortical neurons are affected in isolation. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1089)
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