Tonic spasms are a common clinical manifestation in patients with neuromyelitis optica / Espasmos tônicos são manifestações clínicas frequentes em pacientes com neuromielite óptica

Tonic spasms have been most commonly associated with multiple sclerosis. To date, few reports of series of patients with neuromyelitis optica and tonic spasms have been published. Methods: We analyzed the characteristics and frequency of tonic spasms in 19 subjects with neuromyelitis optica. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire for tonic spasms, by both retrospectively reviewing medical records and performing clinical assessment. Results: All patients except one developed this symptom. The main triggering factors were sudden movements and emotional factors. Spasms were commonly associated to sensory disturbances and worsened during the acute phases of the disease. Carbamazepine was most commonly used to treat the symptom and patients showed good response to the drug. Conclusions: Tonic spasms are a common clinical manifestation in patients with neuromyelitis optica. .

Espasmos tônicos têm sido mais frequentemente associados com esclerose múltipla. Foram publicados até agora poucos relatos de série de pacientes com neuromielite óptica e espasmos tônicos. Métodos: Foram analisadas as características e a frequência de espasmos tônicos em 19 indivíduos com neuromielite óptica. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário semiestruturado para espasmos tônicos, mediante a avaliação retrospectiva dos prontuários e a análise dos dados clínicos Resultados: Todos os pacientes com neuromielite óptica exceto um apresentaram espasmos tônicos. Os principais fatores desencadeantes foram movimentos bruscos e fatores emocionais. Espasmos foram frequentemente associados a perturbações sensoriais e se agravaram durante a fase aguda da doença. A carbamazepina foi utilizada frequentemente para tratar os sintomas, com boa resposta. Conclusões: Os espasmos tônicos são manifestações clínicas frequentes em pacientes com neuromielite óptica. .

Antispasmodic effects of Pycnocycla spinosa seed and aerial part extracts on rat ileum and uterus smooth muscle contractions

Hydroalcoholic extract of Pycnocycla spinosa has a relaxant effect on ileum and inhibits castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice. However, effects of P. spinosa seed extracts on ileum and uterus hasn't been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of P. spinosa seed and extracts of the aerial part on rat ileum and uterus smooth muscle contraction. A 70% ethanol extract of seed and aerial parts of P. spinosa was prepared by a percolation method. Uterine horns or ileum were dissected from non-pregnant female Wistar rats [200-230g] and cut into longitudinal strips and mounted for isotonic recording under Ig tension in Tyrode's solution. Effects of the extracts were examined on tonic contractions induced by KC1 [80mM] on both tissues and on phasic spasm induced by oxytocin [0.002iu/ml] on the uterus. The aerial part extract inhibited rat ileum contractions induced by 80mM KC1 [IC[50] = 42 +/- 3.4 micro g/ml] in a concentration dependent manner and it also inhibited rat uterus contraction induced by 80 mM KC1. However, its inhibitory effects were observed with higher concentration of the extract [IC5o = 420+90 micro g/ml] and at concentration of 1.28mg/ml of the extract in the bath the response was 19+7%. The aerial part extract [40-640 micro g/ml] also reduced the evoked phasic response of uterus by oxytocin [IC[50] = 71 +/- 17.3 micro g/ml]. The seed extract reduced the uterus response to oxytocin in a concentration-dependent manner, and inhibited tissue response completely at 160 micro g/ml [IC[50] = 27 +/- 4 micro g/ml]. From this study it was concluded that the seed extract of P. spinosa have similar inhibitory properties on rat isolated uterus and ileum contractions, while the extract of the aerial part of P. spinosa is more selective inhibitor of ileum contraction, and at higher concentrations it also inhibits uterus spasm

Blepharospasm hemifacial spasm and tremors possibly due to isolated caudate nucleus lesions.

Isolated caudate nucleus lesions have only rarely been documented to cause focal extrapyramidal dysfunction. Two cases with possible infarcts in the head of left caudate nucleus presenting with contralateral tremors and blepharospasm with hemifacial spasm are reported. The possible mechanisms for such a presentation are discussed.