MANAGEMENT OF SPASTICITY

Recent open studies and two placebo-controlled studies confirm the pot ential role of Botulinum toxin A in the treatment of focal spasticity in adults and children. The effect of the toxin might not only be medi ated by the paresis of extrafusal, but also intrafusal muscle fibres, thereby altering the afferent discharge. To enhance its effectiveness, an additional electrical stimulation seems promising. Most patients t olerate the neurolytic agent well. Two individuals, however, suffered from an intermittent tetraparesis after treatment. The repetitive magn etic stimulation and the use of gabapentin might be other new therapeu tic options in the management of spasticity. (C) Rapid Science Publish ers.