M. Cincotta et al., Reorganization of the motor cortex in a patient with congenital hemiparesis and mirror movements, NEUROLOGY, 55(1), 2000, pp. 129-131
Abnormal branching of corticospinal fibers from the unaffected motor cortex
is responsible for mirror movements in patients with congenital hemiparesi
s, but it is unknown which mechanisms enable these patients to lateralize m
otor activity. Using multiunit electromyographic analysis and transcranial
magnetic stimulation, the authors provide evidence for nonbranched crossed
and uncrossed corticospinal projections and intracortical inhibition of the
mirror hand. They propose that this remarkable reorganization of the unaff
ected motor cortex helps these patients to reduce mirror movements.