Objective: To explore the exteroceptive brainstem reflexes in patients with cervical dystonia.

Background: Dysfunction of the inhibitory components along the motor system has been reported in patients with cervical dystonia (CD). We investigated the brainstem involvement, combining a multimodal reflex study to evaluate the segmental and suprasegmental functions in this condition.

Methods: 14 patients with CD and 14 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. The blink reflex (BR) including its recovery cycle (BRRC), trigemino-cervical reflex (TCR), and sternocleidomastoid exteroceptive reflex (SER) were recorded in all subjects. Demographical and clinical features were collected for all patients, including severity, pain, tremor and sensory trick.

Results: The polysinaptic component of the BR is prolonged in patients with CD compared to HC (iR2 32,86 vs 38,06 ms, cR2 33,04 vs 40,23 p < 0.001). BRRC is impaired at 100 ms (0,20 vs 0,40, p = 0.009) and 200 ms (0,27 vs 0,42, p = 0.038) intervals in CD. The P19/N31 component of the TCR is abnormal in all patients (p < 0.001). The SER was present in 31% of patients compared to HC (p < 0.001). Loss of inhibition at BRRC is correlated with history of disease (r = 672, p = 0.008), as well as clinical severity and the polysinaptic component of the BR (r = 0.713, p = 0.004).

Conclusions: We found either segmental than suprasegmental brainstem networks dysfunction in patients with CD. Loss of the suprasegmental inhibitory control is significantly correlated with duration of disease.

« Back to 2016 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/exploring-the-brainstem-functions-in-cervical-dystonia/