Revisiting distinct nerve excitability patterns in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease, characterized by loss of central and peripheral motor neurones. Although the disease is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, axonal hyperexcitability is a commonly observed feature that has been suggested to reflect an early pathophysiological step linked to the neurodegenerative cascade. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanisms causing axonal hyperexcitability and how these relate to the clinical characteristics of patients. Measures derived directly from a nerve excitability recording are frequently used as study endpoints, even though their biophysical basis is difficult to deduce. Mathematical models can aid in the interpretation, but are only reliable when applied to group-averaged recordings. Consequently, model estimates of membrane properties cannot be compared to clinical characteristics or treatment effects in individual patients, posing a considerable limitation in heterogeneous diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To address these challenges, we revisited nerve excitability using a novel pattern-analysis-based approach (principal component analysis). We evaluated disease-specific patterns of excitability changes and established their biophysical origins. Based on the observed patterns, we developed novel compound measures of excitability that facilitate the implementation of this approach in clinical settings We found that excitability changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients (n = 161, median disease duration = 11 months) were characterized by four unique patterns compared to controls (n = 50, age-gender matched). These four patterns were best explained by changes in resting membrane potential (modulated by Na+/K + -currents), slow potassium- and sodium-currents (modulated by their gating kinetics) and refractory properties of the nerve. Consequently, we were able to show that altered gating of slow potassium-channels was associated with, and predictive of, the disease's progression rate on the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale. Based on these findings, we designed four composite measures that capture these properties to facilitate implementation outside of this study. Our findings demonstrate that nerve excitability changes in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are dominated by four distinct patterns, each with a distinct biophysical origin. Based on this new approach, we provide evidence that altered slow potassium-channel function may play a role in the rate of disease progression. The magnitudes of these patterns, quantified using either a similar approach or our novel composite measures, have potential as efficient measures to study membrane properties directly in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, and thus aid prognostic stratification and trial design.

Motor unit integrity in multifocal motor neuropathy: A systematic evaluation with CMAP scans.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Progressive axonal loss in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is often assessed with nerve conduction studies (NCS), by recording maximum compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs). However, reinnervation maintains the CMAP amplitude until a significant portion of the motor unit (MU) pool is lost. Therefore, we performed more informative CMAP scans to study MU characteristics in a large cohort of patients with MMN. METHODS: We derived the maximum CMAP amplitude (CMAPmax ), an MU number estimate (MUNE), and the largest MU amplitude stimulus current required to elicit 5%, 50%, and 95% of CMAPmax (S5, S50, S95) and relative ranges ([S95 - S5] × 100 / S50) from the scans. These metrics were compared with clinical, laboratory, and NCS results. RESULTS: Forty MMN patients and 24 healthy controls were included in the study. CMAPmax and MUNE were reduced in MMN patients (both P < .001). Largest MU amplitude as a percentage of CMAPmax was increased in MMN patients (P < .001). Disease duration and treatment duration were not associated with MUNE. Relative range was larger in patients with anti-GM1 antibodies than in those without anti-GM1 antibodies (P = .016) and controls (P < .001). The largest MU amplitudes were larger in patients without anti-GM1 antibodies than in patients with anti-GM1 antibodies (P = .037) and controls (P = .044). DISCUSSION: We found that MU loss is common in MMN and accompanied by enlarged MUs. Presence of anti-GM1 antibodies was associated with increased relative range of MU thresholds and reduction in largest MU amplitude. Our findings indicate that CMAP scans complement routine NCS, and may have potential for practical monitoring of treatment efficacy and disease progression.

Impact of stimulus duration on motor unit thresholds and alternation in compound muscle action potential scans.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of stimulus duration on motor unit (MU) thresholds and alternation within compound muscle action potential (CMAP) scans. METHODS: The stimulus duration (0.1, 0.2, 0.6, and 1.0 ms) in thenar CMAP scans and individual MUs of 14 healthy subjects was systematically varied. We quantified variability of individual MU's thresholds by relative spread (RS), MU thresholds by stimulus currents required to elicit target CMAPs of 5% (S5), 50% (S50) and 95% (S95) of the maximum CMAP, and relative range (RR) by 100*[S95-S5]/S50. We further assessed the strength-duration time constant (SDTC). Experimental observations were subsequently simulated to quantify alternation. RESULTS: RS, unaffected by stimulus duration, was 1.65% averaged over all recordings. RR increased for longer stimulus duration (11.4% per ms, p < 0.001). SDTC shortened with higher target CMAPs (0.007 ms per 10% CMAP, p < 0.001). Experiments and simulations supported that this may underlie the increased RR. A short compared to long stimulus duration recruited relative more MUs at S50 (more alternation) than at the tails (less alternation). CONCLUSIONS: The stimulus duration significantly affects MU threshold distribution and alternation within CMAP scans. SIGNIFICANCE: Stimulation settings can be further optimized and their standardization is preferred when using CMAP scans for monitoring neuromuscular diseases.

Excitability of motor and sensory axons in multifocal motor neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess excitability differences between motor and sensory axons of affected nerves in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). METHODS: We performed motor and sensory excitability tests in affected median nerves of 20 MMN patients and in 20 age-matched normal subjects. CMAPs were recorded from the thenar and SNAPs from the 3rd digit. Clinical tests included assessment of muscle strength, two-point discrimination and joint position. RESULTS: All MMN patients had weakness of the thenar muscle and normal sensory tests. Motor excitability testing in MMN showed an increased threshold for a 50% CMAP, increased rheobase, decreased stimulus-response slope, fanning-out of threshold electrotonus, decreased resting I/V slope, shortened refractory period, and more pronounced superexcitability. Sensory excitability testing in MMN revealed decreased accommodation half-time and S2-accommodation and less pronounced subexcitability. Mathematical modeling indicated increased Barrett-Barrett conductance for motor fibers and increase in internodal fast potassium conductance for sensory fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Excitability findings in MMN suggest myelin sheath or paranodal seal involvement in motor fibers and, possibly, paranodal detachment in sensory fibers. SIGNIFICANCE: Excitability properties of affected nerves in MMN differ between motor and sensory nerve fibers.

Warming nerves for excitability testing.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to find the best method of warming the median nerve before excitability testing to a standard temperature. METHODS: In 5 healthy subjects, the forearm and hand were warmed for 1 h to 37°C by infrared lamp, water blanket, or water bath. Recordings were performed before and during warming every 10 min. Excitability indices were fitted by exponential relations, thereby calculating the time needed to reach 95% of their asymptotic end value. RESULTS: Distal motor latency, refractory period, and superexcitability at 10 ms changed exponentially with time. Warming by water bath took the shortest time (24 min); this was followed by warming by infrared lamp (34 min) and water blanket (35 min). CONCLUSIONS: Warming by water bath is the quickest way. The other methods took only moderately more time. Future studies need to specify both warming method and warming time before excitability testing. Muscle Nerve, 2019.

Excitability tests using high-density surface-EMG: A novel approach to studying single motor units.

OBJECTIVE: To study excitability of single motor units (MUs) using high-density surface-EMG. METHODS: Motor unit action potentials (MUAPs) were evoked by submaximal stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist and recorded with a 9 × 14 electrode grid on the skin overlying the thenar muscles. For excitability tests of single MUs, the most optimal specific single-channel surface-EMG signal was selected based on the spatiotemporal profile of single MUs. RESULTS: Axonal excitability measures were successfully obtained from 14 single MUs derived from ten healthy subjects. Selecting the optimal single-channel surface-EMG signals minimized interference from other single MUs and improved signal-to-noise ratio. The muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) could also be derived from the unique spatiotemporal profile of single MUs. CONCLUSION: High-density surface-EMG helps to isolate single MUAP responses, making it a suitable technique for assessing excitability in multiple single motor axons per nerve. SIGNIFICANCE: Our method enables the reliable study of ion-channel dysfunction in single motor axons of nerves without any requirement for specific conditions, such as prominent MU loss or enlarged MUAPs due to collateral sprouting.

Sodium-potassium pump assessment by submaximal electrical nerve stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: Sodium-potassium pump dysfunction in peripheral nerve is usually assessed by determining axonal hyperpolarization following maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) or maximal electrical nerve stimulation. As MVC may be unreliable and maximal electrical stimulation too painful, we assessed if hyperpolarization can also be induced by submaximal electrical nerve stimulation. METHODS: In 8 healthy volunteers different submaximal electrical stimulus trains were given to the median nerve at the wrist, followed by 5 min assessment of thresholds for compound muscle action potentials of 20%, 40% or 60% of maximal. RESULTS: Threshold increase after submaximal electrical nerve stimulation was most prominent after an 8 Hz train of at least 5 min duration evoking submaximal CMAPs of 60%. It induced minimal discomfort and was not painful. Threshold increase after MVC was not significantly higher than this stimulus train. CONCLUSIONS: Submaximal electrical stimulation evokes activity dependent hyperpolarization in healthy test subjects without causing significant discomfort. SIGNIFICANCE: Sodium-potassium pump function may be assessed using submaximal electrical stimulation.

Comparing excitability at 37°C versus at 20°C: Differences between motor and sensory axons.

INTRODUCTION: In some peripheral nervous system disorders, cold induces symptoms of muscle weakness without loss of sensation. To understand this selective effect on motor function, it is first essential to delineate the effects of cooling in motor and sensory axons of healthy subjects. METHODS: In 17 healthy volunteers, we performed excitability and clinical tests of median nerve motor and sensory axons at 37°C and at 20°C. Clinical tests consisted of assessing thenar muscle strength, 2-point discrimination, and joint position sense of the third finger. RESULTS: Excitability tests showed that cooling induced opposite changes to hyperpolarizing current in threshold electrotonus (motor, decreased threshold change; sensory, increased threshold change) and current-voltage relation slopes (motor, steepening; sensory, less steep). Clinical tests showed worsening in motor function but no consistent changes in sensory function. DISCUSSION: Cooling induces changes in motor axons consistent with depolarization and more complicated changes in sensory axons, possibly related to differences in hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel expression. Muscle Nerve 57: 574-580, 2018.

Correct positioning of central venous catheters using a new electric method.

PURPOSE: In order to find the correct final position of the tip of a central venous catheter, we have developed a new electric method (the Proximity of Cardiac Motion (PCM) method), designed to work in tandem with the existing ECG-based method. METHODS: A small, patient-safe, high-frequency current is fed through the catheter (via the saline-filled lumen of the catheter, or a stylet). Simultaneously, the resulting voltage is measured by two electrodes on the frontal thoracic skin. The catheter tip hence functions as a current source inside the vasculature. The cardiac motion produces a variation in the amplitude of the measured voltage in the rhythm of the cardiac cycle, and the strength of this oscillatory variation is proportional to the strength of the incident current field on the heart, which is a rapidly decaying function of the distance between the catheter tip and the cavoatrial junction (CAJ). Hence the strength of this oscillatory variation is a strong indicator for the proximity of the catheter tip with respect to the CAJ. RESULTS: The new method has been tested in an animal model, yielding an average final position of the catheter tip of 2.1 cm above the CAJ, with a maximum deviation of 0.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the new PCM method can be combined with the existing ECG method, and may potentially have significant added value when the ECG method cannot be applied, for example, in patients with atrial fibrillation or a pacemaker.

Heart rate variability in intensive care unit patients with delirium.

Sympathovagal balance, assessed with heart rate variability (HRV), may be altered in intensive care unit (ICU) delirium. HRV was measured in the frequency domain [low frequencies (LF)=0.04-0.15 Hz and high frequencies (HF)=0.15-0.40 Hz] with HF in normalized units (HFnu) to evaluate parasympathetic tone and LF:HF ratio for sympathovagal balance. The authors assessed 726 ICU patients and excluded patients with conditions affecting HRV. No difference could be found between patients with (N=13) and without (N=12) delirium by comparing the mean (±standard deviation) of the HFnu (75±7 versus 68±23) and the LF:HF ratio (-0.7±1.0 versus -0.1±1.1). This study suggests that autonomic function is not altered in ICU delirium.

Why are sensory axons more vulnerable for ischemia than motor axons?

OBJECTIVE: In common peripheral neuropathies, sensory symptoms usually prevail over motor symptoms. This predominance of sensory symptoms may result from higher sensitivity of sensory axons to ischemia. METHODS: We measured median nerve compound sensory action potentials (CSAPs), compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), and excitability indices in five healthy subjects during forearm ischemia lasting up to disappearance of both CSAPs and CMAPs. RESULTS: ISCHEMIA INDUCED: (1) earlier disappearance of CSAPs than CMAPs (mean ± standard deviation 30±5 vs. 46±6 minutes), (2) initial changes compatible with axonal depolarization on excitability testing (decrease in threshold, increase in strength duration time constant (SDTC) and refractory period, and decrease in absolute superexcitability) which were all more prominent in sensory than in motor axons, and (3) a subsequent decrease of SDTC reflecting a decrease in persistent Na(+) conductance during continuing depolarisation. INTERPRETATION: Our study shows that peripheral sensory axons are more vulnerable for ischemia than motor axons, with faster inexcitability during ischemia. Excitability studies during ischemia showed that this was associated with faster depolarization and faster persistent Na(+) channel inactivation in sensory than in motor axons. These findings might be attributed to differences in ion channel composition between sensory and motor axons and may contribute to the predominance of sensory over motor symptoms in common peripheral neuropathies.

Movement disorders in nonpsychotic siblings of patients with nonaffective psychosis.

Movement disorders such as dyskinesia and Parkinsonism have frequently been reported in (drug-naïve) patients with nonaffective psychosis. Therefore movement disorders may be related to schizophrenia. Siblings of patients with nonaffective psychosis also appear to have subtle forms of movement disorders. This suggests that motor abnormalities may also be related to the risk of developing the disease. Subtle forms are not always detected with the use of the standard observation-based clinical rating scales, which are less sensitive than mechanical instrument measurement. This study compared the presence and severity of dyskinesia and Parkinsonism in 42 non-psychotic siblings of patients with nonaffective psychosis and in 38 controls as measured by mechanical instruments and clinical rating scales. There were no significant differences in movement disorders between siblings and controls on the basis of clinical assessments. However, mechanical measurements indicated that siblings compared to controls displayed significantly more dyskinesia and Parkinsonism signs. These results suggest that motor signs could be markers of vulnerability for psychosis or schizophrenia. In addition this study shows that mechanical instrument measurement of movement disorders is more sensitive than assessment with clinical rating scales. Therefore, it may be used in screening programs for populations at risk for psychosis.

Is cold paresis related to axonal depolarization?

Cold paresis may occur in multifocal motor neuropathy and lower motor neuron disease. It was proposed to reflect nerve lesions where axons are depolarized due to loss of Na/K-pump activity. In those circumstances, a further decrease in pump activity by cooling may induce extra depolarization, conduction block, and weakness. Evidence for this hypothesis is incomplete because it is unknown if cold induces depolarization in human motor axons and other factors may contribute to the symptoms. To solve these questions, we examined 10 normal subjects. At 37, 25, 20, and 15°C we assessed: excitability in the median nerve, decrement on 3-Hz stimulation, pulsed Doppler of a wrist artery, and thenar muscle strength. Cooling induced: (1) findings compatible with axonal depolarization on excitability testing (fanning-in of threshold electrotonus, steepened current threshold relation, increased refractory period, decreased super- and subexcitability), (2) decreased Doppler peak systolic velocity without causing ischemia, (3) decreased muscle strength and impaired muscle relaxation. Decrement tests and compound muscle action potential amplitude remained normal. The excitability findings induced by cooling were best explained by axonal depolarization due to the effect of temperature on Na/K-pump activity. The induced weakness may be explained not only by this mechanism but also by impaired muscle contraction.

MRI-guided robotic system for transperineal prostate interventions: proof of principle.

In this study, we demonstrate the proof of principle of the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) robot dedicated to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided interventions in patients. The UMCU robot consists of polymers and non-ferromagnetic materials. For transperineal prostate interventions, it can be placed between the patient's legs inside a closed bore 1.5T MR scanner. The robot can manually be translated and rotated resulting in five degrees of freedom. It contains a pneumatically driven tapping device to automatically insert a needle stepwise into the prostate using a controller unit outside the scanning room. To define the target positions and to verify the needle insertion point and the needle trajectory, a high-resolution 3D balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP) scan that provides a T2/T1-weighted contrast is acquired. During the needle insertion fast 2D bSSFP images are generated to track the needle on-line. When the target position is reached, the radiation oncologist manually places a fiducial gold marker (small seed) at this location. In total two needle trajectories are used to place all markers. Afterwards, a high-resolution 3D bSSFP scan is acquired to visualize the fiducial gold markers. Four fiducial gold markers were placed transperineally into the prostate of a patient with a clinical stage T3 prostate cancer. In the generated scans, it was possible to discriminate the patient's anatomy, the needle and the markers. All markers were delivered inside the prostate. The procedure time was 1.5 h. This study proves that MRI-guided needle placement and seed delivery in the prostate with the UMCU robot are feasible.

Sodium profiling, but not cool dialysate, increases the absolute plasma refill rate during hemodialysis.

Intradialytic hypotension is often caused by a discrepancy between ultrafiltration and plasma refilling. Increasing the plasma refill rate could therefore reduce intradialytic hypotension. We used a recently developed method to measure the effect of cool dialysate and sodium (Na) profiling on refill during hemodialysis (HD). Using a Gambro AK200 with blood volume (BV) sensor plus computer-guided external pump, a high ultrafiltration rate quickly induced a preset BV reduction. A software feedback mechanism subsequently adjusted the ultrafiltration rate continuously to maintain BV between very narrow preset boundaries. The continuously changing, software-generated ultrafiltration rate then quantitatively equalled refill. Absolute plasma refill rate was measured in six stable patients without intradialytic hypotension, undergoing HD without intervention, with cool dialysate (1 degrees C below core temperature), and with Na profiling (gradually declining from 150 to 140 mmol/l). Baseline refill rate was 20.1 + or - 4.0 ml/min (mean + or - SD). Although cool dialysate did not affect refill (22.2 + or - 4.1 ml/min, p = 0.27 vs. baseline), Na profiling induced a significant improvement (26.8 + or - 3.7 ml/min, p = 0.006 vs. baseline). Using our method to measure absolute plasma refill rate during HD, we demonstrated that Na profiling indeed improves the plasma refill rate. A potential effect of cool dialysate could not be established.

Short-term sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity increases at lower blood pressures.

OBJECTIVE: Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (symBRS) can be defined as the maximum sensitivity of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) to changes in arterial blood pressure. This sensitivity is the slope of the linear middle part of the sigmoid curve that relates blood pressure to MSNA. SymBRS is known to vary with conditions, for instance during cold pressor testing. We investigated whether symBRS is affected by infusions of phenylephrine and nitroprusside. METHODS: In 10 healthy subjects, vasoactive infusions were varied in slow steps, as customary in protocols to determine 'graded infusion symBRS' (symBRS(inf)). During each step, symBRS was estimated from spontaneous beat-to-beat fluctuations (symBRS(sp)). As a secondary goal, symBRS(inf) was compared to the symBRS(sp) without infusions. RESULTS: The symBRS(sp) for MSNA burst area varied with infusions, augmenting with decreasing blood pressure, however the symBRS(sp) for burst occurrence was not affected. There were large differences between symBRS(inf) and symBRS(sp) at rest. CONCLUSIONS: symBRS(sp) varies systematically with infusions during a symBRS(inf) protocol. This denotes a fundamental difference between these methods. SIGNIFICANCE: The relationship between 'slow' infusion effects (symBRS(inf)) and changes in symBRS(sp) is elucidated. The mathematical model that describes this relationship can also explain the increase of symBRS found with other sympathoexcitatory stimuli.

The effect of intraduodenal glucose on muscle sympathetic nerve activity in healthy young and older subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The cardiovascular response to a meal is modulated by gastric distension and the interaction of nutrients, particularly carbohydrate, within the small intestine. We tested the hypothesis that the depressor effect of small intestinal glucose is greater in older than in young subjects, because the reflex increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is blunted by age. METHODS: The effects of intraduodenal glucose infusion (IDGI) on blood pressure, heart rate and MSNA were evaluated in eight healthy young subjects (4 women; mean age +/- SEM: 28.8 +/- 3.4 years), eight healthy elderly (4 women; 75.3 +/- 1.6 years) and in two patients with symptomatic postprandial hypotension (PPH), one young (21 years), and one old (90 years). RESULTS: In both young and elderly healthy subjects, IDGI decreased blood pressure (P < 0.05), but the fall in systolic blood pressure was greater in the older subjects (-17.0 +/- 4.1 vs. -6.5 +/- 1.6 mmHg, P < 0.03). MSNA increased similarly, after infusion in both young (9.0 +/- 3.4 bursts/min) and elderly (7.8 +/- 1.0 bursts/min) subjects. Baroreflex sensitivity for number of sympathetic bursts was attenuated in the elderly (P < 0.03). The increase in burst area in the young patient with PPH was attenuated (18 vs. 63% in the healthy young group). INTERPRETATION: The fall in BP induced by IDGI was greater in healthy elderly compared to healthy young subjects. The reason for this is unclear, as they have similar increases in MSNA.

Continuous, online measurement of the absolute plasma refill rate during hemodialysis using feedback regulated ultrafiltration: preliminary results.

Methods to continuously measure absolute refill during dialysis are not available. It would be useful to have such a method because it would allow investigating the mechanism of refill the effect of interventions. We designed a feedback algorithm that adjusts ultrafiltration rate (QUF) according to hemoglobin (Hb) concentration changes in such a way that relative blood volume (BV) remains constant within a narrow target range. In this situation, the generated QUF quantitatively reflects refill. Refill patterns were studied in five hypotension prone patients. In addition, on separate occasions, we studied the effect of antiembolism stockings (AES) and infusion of hydroxy-ethylated starch (HAES) on refill in these patients. Refill during the first hour fell significantly from 21 +/- 3 ml/min to 9 +/- 2 ml/min (p < 0.05). In the second hour, refill decreased further and became zero in four out of five patients. Neither AES nor HAES measurably affected refill. The marked and rapid fall in refill in the early stages of dialysis suggests untimely depletion of the interstitial compartment and underestimation of dry weight. We propose that continuous, online measurement of refill patterns may be of value for accurate estimation of dry weight in dialysis patients.

Clinical comparison between HeartMate VE auto-mode and HeartMate XVE auto-mode with Opti-Fill and the effect of stroke volume on blood chamber and inflow valve peak pressures.

We determined the difference between HeartMate (HM) VE auto mode, average filling 76 mL, and HM XVE Opti-Fill, average filling 79 mL, regarding blood chamber and inflow valve peak pressure pulses (BCPP and IVPP). The relation between stroke volume (SV) and peak pressures was investigated by using a circulatory mock loop. At high SVs, 79 to 83 mL, BCPP and IVPP never exceeded 400 mm Hg. For lower SVs, down to 50 mL, the peak pressures increased to 788 mm Hg for BCPP and 416 mm Hg for IVPP. Distribution of SV was measured in 2 VE and 6 XVE patients during rest and activities of daily living (ADL). For clinical comparison, percentages of SV >78 mL were determined. At rest, 2190 (VE) and 5772 (XVE) pump beats were registered and 4511 (VE) and 8713 (XVE) during ADL. Percentages of "SV >78 mL" at rest, respectively, were 42.5 +/- 3.5 and 78.2 +/- 4.7 (p < 0.01) and during ADL, respectively, 48.7 +/- 7.4 and 73.5 +/- 5.3 (p < 0.01). The Opti-Fill software shows a significant increase in percentage SV >78 mL and makes an important contribution to reducing the incidence of high peak pressures in the clinical setting.

Cerebral oxygenation and cerebral oxygen extraction in the preterm infant: the impact of respiratory distress syndrome.

Haemodynamic factors play an important role in the etiology of cerebral lesions in preterm infants. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), a common problem in preterms, is strongly related with low and fluctuating arterial blood pressure. This study investigated the relation between mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), fractional cerebral oxygen saturation (ScO2) and fractional (cerebral) tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE), a measure of oxygen utilisation of the brain, during the first 72 h of life. Thirty-eight infants (gestational age < 32 week) were included, 18 with and 20 without RDS. Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), MABP and near infrared spectroscopy-determined ScO2 were continuously measured. FTOE was calculated as a ratio: (SaO2-ScO2)/SaO2. Gestational age and birth weight did not differ between groups, but assisted ventilation and use of inotropic drugs were more common in RDS infants (P<0.01). MABP was lower in RDS patients (P<0.05 from 12 up to 36 h after birth), but increased in both groups over time. ScO2 and FTOE were not different between groups over time, but in RDS infants ScO2 and FTOE had substantial larger variance (P<0.05 at all time points except at 36-48 h for ScO2 and P<0.05 at 12-18, 18-24, 36-48 and 48-60 h for FTOE). During the first 72 h of life, RDS infants showed more periods of positive correlation between MABP and ScO2 (P<0.05 at 18-24, 24-36 36-48 48-60 h) and negative correlation between MABP and FTOE (P<0.05 at 18-24, 36-48 h). Although we found that the patterns of cerebral oxygenation and extraction in RDS infants were not different as compared to infants without RDS, we suggest that the frequent periods with possible lack of cerebral autoregulation in RDS infants may make these infants more vulnerable to cerebral damage.