[Dynamics of spinal cord motor neuron excitability in epileptic patients following surgical elimination of seizures].

Abstract

H-reflex testing in epileptics with frequent seizures reveals both an increase and decrease of the activity of the spinal cord motoneurons. A surgical removal of the epileptogenic focus and the disappearance of seizures is followed by a significant elevation of the H-reflex induction threshold, which may be a reflection of the compensatory process. The dynamics of the stimulation EMG data pertains to the H-reflex alone, and is not true in case of the tendon reflexes. In this connection a dystony of the supraspinal regulation of the alpha- and gamma-motoneurons is suggested in epilepsy with a prevailing involvement of the alpha-cells.