Abnormalities of spatial and temporal sensory discrimination in writer's cramp

Citation
Td. Sanger et al., Abnormalities of spatial and temporal sensory discrimination in writer's cramp, MOVEMENT D, 16(1), 2001, pp. 94-99
Citations number
44
Categorie Soggetti
Neurology,"Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
ISSN journal
08853185 → ACNP
Volume
16
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Pages
94 - 99
Database
ISI
SICI code
0885-3185(200101)16:1<94:AOSATS>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
Clinical observations of patients with writer's cramp suggest that abnormal ities of the sensory system may be a frequent finding in this disorder. Neu rophysiological data from an animal model of focal dystonia have revealed c ells in somatosensory cortex with enlarged and overlapping tactile receptiv e fields. However, psychophysical studies so far have been unable to docume nt a clinical correlate supporting a similar enlargement of receptive field s in humans. We compared the fingertip discrimination of the orientation of fine spatial gratings between writer's cramp and control subjects and foun d a significant decrease in grating sensitivity in the patients, consistent with the possibility of enlarged tactile receptive fields. In addition, we duplicated previous experiments showing an abnormality of tactile temporal discrimination. The results provide psychophysical measures which may rela te to the development of sensory cortical reorganization in patients with w riter's cramp.