Main description:

Over the last decades the developments and applications of electromyo- graphic and electroneurographic methods have been of great value in giv- ing us insights into the functions of various neuronal systems. More re- cently, considerable advances in new technologies, e.g. computerization and microtechniques, as well as a remarkable increase of interest in the functions of the central nervous system, especially in motor control, can be recognized. The tremendous advances in the development of electromyography, electroneurography and evoked potential recording as well as in record- ing of single motor units and of single nerve fibres raised the question from a clinical-physiological and physiological point of view as to which methods are relevant for clinical diagnosis and which technological devel- opments can provide us with better insight into the functions of the ner- vous system? This book which is based on a well balanced distribution of clinical neurophysiological and physiological contributions presents a great variety of important and interesting topics.
We are grateful to the International Federation of Societies for Elec- troencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, in particular to the Chairman of the EMG Commission, Prof. J. Desmedt, Brussels, to the German EEG Society, and to the German Research Society (DFG) for their assistance. The secretarial assistance ofE. Amann, E. Buttner, D. Mitteregger, and the technical assistance ofR. Riescher are gratefully acknowledged.

Contents:

I: Central Disorders of Movement.- Animal Models of Motor Disorders.- Abnormalities of Mechanoreceptor-Evoked Electromyographic Activity in Central Motor Disorders.- The Pathophysiology of Central Paresis.- A Functional Approach to Understanding Spasticity.- Akinesia in Parkinsonism Pharmacological and Physiological Analysis.- The Pathophysiology of Chorea, Tics and Dystonia.- Stereoencephalotomy and Motor Control.- Comments on Research in Central Disorders of Movement.- II: Posture and Locomotion.- Concepts in Neural Control of Posture and Locomotion.- Control of Human Locomotion by Group I Reflex Pathways from Ankle Extensors.- Fusimotor "Set" vs. ?-? Linkage in Voluntary Movement in Cats.- Control of Neural Prostheses.- Characteristics of Increased Postural Sway and Abnormal Long Loop Responses in Patients with Cerebellar Diseases and Parkinsonism.- Cutaneo-Muscular Control Mechanisms in Health and Disease: Possible Implications on Spasticity.- Quantification of Spasticity.- Clinical Neurophysiology of Spinal Cord and Neuropharmacology.- III: EMG Methods and Applications in Restorative Neurology.- Trends in EMG Methods and Applications in Restorative Neurology.- Critical Evaluation of Needle EMG Methods.- Spectral Analysis of EMG.- Clinical Applications of Spectral Analysis of EMG.- Computer Pattern Recognition of Motor Unit Potentials.- Clinical Applications of Recent Development in EMG.- Pre- and Postoperative Electrophysiological Assessment of Entrapped, Sutured and Grafted Nerves - Current Advances in Nerve Microsurgery.- Comments on Restorative Microsurgery and EMG Monitoring.- IV: Clinical Uses of Evoked Potentials and Brainstem Reflexes.- Clinical Uses of Recorded Jaw and Blink Reflexes.- Auditory Nerve - Brainstem Evoked Responses: Neurophysiology and Neurological Diagnosis.- Neural Generator of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Components in Man.- Somatosensory Potentials to Lower Limb Stimulation. The Origin of Short Latency Tibial SEPs.- Technical Aspects of Surgical Monitoring Using Evoked Potentials.- Brainstem Disorders and Coma: Evaluation and Monitoring Using Evoked Potentials and Brainstem Reflexes.- Critical Evaluation of Evoked Potentials in Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.- Somatosensory Evoked Potentials to Lower Extremity Stimulation: Clinical Utility in the Pediatric Age Group.- Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SEP) in Myoclonus.- Current Concepts and Trends in Clinical Uses of Evoked Potentials and Brainstem Reflexes.- V: Neuropathies and Myopathies.- Proximal and Distal Conduction Velocities in Neuropathies.- Hereditary Motor Neuronopathies (Spinal Muscular Atrophies).- Electrophysiological Findings in Different Forms of Infantile and Juvenile Spinal Muscular Atrophy.- Membrane Disturbances in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.- Myotonia, Paramyotonia and Periodic Paralysis.- Entrapment Neuropathies.- Autonomic Neuropathies: The Earliest Abnormalities.