Abstract
Publisher Summary This chapter discusses motor cortical excitability as measured by single and paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). It focuses on the methodology, physiological mechanisms, and pathophysiology of the various measures and the application of these measures to the neurophysiological assessment of patients with motor neuron disease (MND). Excitability measures that have been found useful in the TMS assessment of patients with suspected amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are motor threshold (MT), duration of the cortical silent period (CSP) tested at various stimulus intensities, and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI). All these measures may be reduced early in the course of the disease. A reduced MT points to glutamate-driven motor cortical hyperexcitability while a reduced CSP duration and SICI most likely indicate downregulation of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-dependent cortical inhibition.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
