THE EXTEROCEPTIVE SUPPRESSION PERIOD OF T EMPORAL MUSCLE-ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH HEMIPARESIS AFTER ACUTE VASCULAR INSULTS

Latency and duration of the late exteroceptive suppression period of t emporal muscle activity (ES 2) were measured in 15 patients with hemip aresis. The first measurement was done up to 1 week after the onset of symptoms, the second 2-3 weeks later on. It was performed by applicat ion of single electrical stimuli periorally during maximum teeth clenc hing. Initially, the latency of exteroceptive suppression was prolonge d especially on the paretic side, but also on the healthy side, thus i ndicating a bilateral innervation of temporalis muscles and the predom inance of the contralateral hemisphere. The second measurement showed a significant shortening of latency on both side in those patients who had a clinical improvement within the time course. Therefore the chan ges of latency were highly correlated with clinical characteristics an d may serve as a prognostic parameter in hemiparesis. The duration of the exteroceptive suppression period was shortened on both sides. When measured the second time, patients with hemiparesis on their left sid e showed more often prolongations of the suppression period. Right-sid ed paresis was more often combined with further shortening of the supp ression period. The reason for these differences remains to be discuss ed.