Julian Theuriet , Adrien Bohic , Maxime Bonjour , Emilien Bernard , Florent Cluse , Juliette Svahn , Laurent Jomir , Anne-Evelyne Vallet , Marion Demia , Lucie Roux , Ioana Cristina Bârsan , Léa Alves , Matthias Dion , Lionel Meens , Martin Moussy , Françoise Bouhour , Yann Péréon , Antoine Pegat
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to compare the frequency of blink reflex’s contralateral R1 responses (R1′) between patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), non-ALS motor deficit patients, and healthy volunteers.
Methods
A total of 120 participants were prospectively recruited: 40 with ALS, 40 with a non-ALS motor deficit, and 40 healthy volunteers. Blink reflexes were recorded from orbicularis oculi muscles following supraorbital nerve stimulation.
Results
R1′ was more frequent in the ALS group (42.5 %) compared to healthy volunteers (12.5 %, p = 0.00588), and compared to non-ALS patients (7.5 %, p = 0.000789). Bilateral R1′ was observed only in ALS patients (22.5 %). No clinically significant difference was found in the latencies or amplitudes of the R1, R2, or R1′ responses among groups. R1′ was more frequent in ALS patients with pseudobulbar affect (71.4 %) compared to those without (36.4 %).
Conclusions
The higher frequency of R1′ in ALS highlights its potential role in distinguishing ALS from other motor disorders. Its sensitivity was low, but bilateral R1′ was specific to ALS. The higher frequency of R1′ among ALS patients with pseudobulbar affect potentially reflects corticobulbar neuron degeneration.
Significance
The R1′, especially when bilateral, could serve as an additional diagnostic biomarker for ALS, although its clinical relevance should be considered within the broader diagnostic context.
期刊介绍:
Clinical Neurophysiology Practice (CNP) is a new Open Access journal that focuses on clinical practice issues in clinical neurophysiology including relevant new research, case reports or clinical series, normal values and didactic reviews. It is an official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology and complements Clinical Neurophysiology which focuses on innovative research in the specialty. It has a role in supporting established clinical practice, and an educational role for trainees, technicians and practitioners.