Spinal Cord Convulsions

Esplin, Don W.

doi:10.1001/archneur.1959.03840050019003

Cited by 22 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In the absence of interneurons, the rhythmic pattern could possibly be explained by a particular timing of refractoriness in axons of interconnected neu-tion of descending fibers, convulsive spinal mechanisms. Indeed, it has been shown (Esplin, 1959; Esplin and Freston, 1960) that the spinal cord is capable of self-sustained, intense after-discharges following tetanic stimulation and that ''prolonged movements associated with brief stimulation of supraspinal structures may result from after-discharges at the spinal level" (Esplin, 1959).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brainstem Experimental Seizures Produced by Microinjections of Carbachol

Elazar

Feldman

1987

Epilepsia

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Microinjections of 2-10 micrograms of carbachol into the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) and pontine reticular formation (PRF) of rats consistently induced local electroencephalographic seizures. These seizures had organized, rhythmical patterns and were long lasting. They spread powerfully and bilaterally between the MRF and PRF and also to the hippocampus and cortex. The electroencephalographic seizures were accompanied by severe, long-lasting convulsions. These convulsions were clonic and bilateral, started in the head area and progressed rostro-caudally to become generalized to the entire body. Other nonconvulsive behaviors were activated by the seizures. Immobility and catalepsy were the most frequent nonconvulsive correlates of the brainstem carbachol seizures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brainstem Experimental Seizures Produced by Microinjections of Carbachol

Elazar

Feldman

1987

Epilepsia

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“…3). The sites of strychnine action are the caudal brainstem, and principally the spinal cord (Poulsson, 1920;Dusser de Barenne, 1933;Bremer, 1941Bremer, , 1949Bremer, , 1953Sollmann, 1957;Gastaut & Fischer-Williams, 1959), and the major convulsive patterns are integrated by spinal reflex mechanisms (Esplin & Laffan, 1957;Esplin, 1959). The correlation of the patterns of the convulsive sequences with the median doses necessary for their production enables the maturation of the convulsogenic activity of the caudal brainstem and spinal cord to be divided into three stages:…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maturation of somatomotor responses to strychnine in the albino rat

Engelhardt

Esbérard

1968

British J Pharmacology

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The maturation of the convulsogenic activity of the caudal brainstem and spinal cord in the developing albino rat was studied by intraperitoneal injections of strychnine sulphate. The observed responses were classed as hyperexcitability and hypertonic responses, graded 1 to 4. The complete tonic seizure (grade 4 hypertonic reaction, strychnine tetanus, maximal response) was obtained in all age groups, from birth to adulthood. The responses were grouped in sequences, and two patterns were distinguished: an infant one (from birth to 3 weeks) and an adult one (from 3 weeks on). All doses varied according to age. The curve obtained for the median convulsive dose falls into two parts: descending, from birth to 3 weeks, and ascending, from 3 weeks on. Each part corresponded to a sequence pattern, the descending one to the infant pattern, and the ascending one to the adult pattern. From these patterns and the corresponding median effective doses, three stages of the convulsogenic maturation of the spinal cord were distinguished: immaturity, pharmacological maturity and convulsogenic maturity. It is suggested that the mechanism responsible for the complete tonic seizure is fully functional from birth, while that responsible for clonic seizure only reaches full maturity at 3 weeks of age.

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“…These motor patterns are also observed following spinal cord stimulation in decapitated animals [15]. It is hypothesized that the rostrocaudal spread observed in convulsions reflects the rostrocaudal spread of discharge down the polysynaptic descending pathways within the intermediate zone of the spinal gray matter [15]. This can explain why clonic movements were sometimes observed only in both arms, but have never been observed in the legs without the involvement of the arms in bilateral paramedian thalamic and midbrain infarction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…A high intensity of stimulation causes tonic movements, whereas a low intensity of stimulation causes clonic movements of the forelimbs, and the subsequent increases in stimulation intensity produce a spread of clonic movements down to include the hind limbs [14]. These motor patterns are also observed following spinal cord stimulation in decapitated animals [15]. It is hypothesized that the rostrocaudal spread observed in convulsions reflects the rostrocaudal spread of discharge down the polysynaptic descending pathways within the intermediate zone of the spinal gray matter [15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Convulsive Movements in Bilateral Paramedian Thalamic and Midbrain Infarction

Yamashiro

Furuya²,

Noda³

et al. 2011

Case Rep Neurol

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Although some previous reports have described convulsive movements in bilateral paramedian thalamic and midbrain infarction, little is known about their nature. A 71-year-old man presented with impaired consciousness and clonic movements of both arms. Each series of movements lasted 10 to 20 s and occurred at 2- to 3-min intervals, which disappeared after intravenous administration of diazepam and phenytoin. Magnetic resonance imaging showed acute bilateral paramedian thalamic and midbrain infarction. A review of the literature revealed that convulsive movements were observed mostly at the onset of infarction. Clonic movements appeared frequently in the limbs, particularly in both arms. Clinical observations and results of animal experiments suggest that these seizures might originate from the mesencephalic reticular formation. Physicians should recognize this condition, because not only seizure control but also early management of ischemic stroke is required.

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Spinal Cord Convulsions

Cited by 22 publications

References 9 publications

Brainstem Experimental Seizures Produced by Microinjections of Carbachol

Brainstem Experimental Seizures Produced by Microinjections of Carbachol

Maturation of somatomotor responses to strychnine in the albino rat

Convulsive Movements in Bilateral Paramedian Thalamic and Midbrain Infarction

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