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Physiologic Studies of Dysmetria in Patients with Cerebellar Deficits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Hallet Mark*
Affiliation:
Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
G. Massaquoi Steve*
Affiliation:
Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
*
NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 5N226, Bethesda, Maryland, USA 20892
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Abstract:

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A feature of cerebellar ataxia is dysmetria, which is characterized by inaccurate movements. Studies of rapid movements at a single joint show prolonged acceleration phases and prolonged initial bursts of EMG activity in the agonist muscle. These two features correlate with each other, suggesting that the prolongation of the neural signal is responsible for the kinematic abnormality. This explains a tendency to hypermetria. Studies of multijoint movements show abnormalities in relative timing of the different joints. During locomotion, knee and ankle motions can be delayed differentially with respect to the gait cycle. Subjects attempting straight-line movements with the arm have systematic deviations that reflect incoordination of the shoulder and elbow with respect to each other. A possible explanation of dysmetria is a failure of sufficient force generation within the necessary time to accomplish a coordinated movement. Another possible explanation is that the cerebellum is responsible for timing of brain functions.

Type
Abstract
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1993

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