Da. Restivo et al., Central motor conduction to lower limb after transcranial magnetic stimulation in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), CLIN NEU, 111(4), 2000, pp. 630-635
Objectives: To evaluate central motor conduction to lower limbs in spinocer
ebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2).
Methods: Transcranial magnetic stimulation was performed to study the corti
cospinal tracts of 18 patients with SCA2.
Results: Central motor conduction time (CMCT) to lower limbs and thresholds
were abnormal in 8 patients (44%); CMCT and thresholds were significantly
correlated with disease duration and disability.
Conclusions: Corticospinal tract involvement is more frequent than previous
ly reported in SCA2. Prolonged CMCT and increased threshold should not be u
sed to differentiate between various type of autosomal dominant cerebellar
ataxia. Similar to that reported in Friedreich's ataxia, we suggest that ex
amining central motor conduction to the lower limbs may assist in evaluatin
g the progressive steps of neurodegeneration in SCA2. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci
ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.