[Clinico-quatitative evaluation of the action of Ciba 34.647-Ba on spasticity]. / Avaliação clinico-quantitativa da ação do Ciba 34.647-Ba sobre a espasticidade.

Using the clinical quantification of the neurologic symptomatology the authors made observations and avaliated the action of Ciba 34.647-Ba, a GABA derivative, in 12 patients suffering from spasticity and motor incapacity due to spinal cord lesions. The results are reported emphasizing the effects of the drug on the main components of spasticity (hypertonus, hyperactivity of the deep reflexes, clonus and automatisms). Some theories explaining the mechanism of action of the drug are mentioned. References are made about doses, duration of action, tolerance and side-effects.

[Reeducation and spontaneous recovery of motor function in lesions of the nervous central system]. / Reeducação e recuperação espontanea da motricidade após lesões do sistema nervoso central

A review is made of the current concepts on the several techniques (kinesitherapy programs) used with the purpose of recovering motor impairments caused by damage of the central nervous system. In this way data are gathered for the discussion and explanation of the intricate mechanisms involved in reeducation and recovery of the motor ability.

[Recovery of voluntary motion in the upper extremity following hemiplegia in patients with cerebrovascular accident. Prognostic evaluation]. / Recuperação da motricidade voluntaria do membro superior de pacientes com hemiplegia após acidente vascular cerebral. Avaliação prognostica

The study aims the registration and anlaysis of the main facts which occur during recovery of the voluntary movements in the upper extremity, in patients with hemiplegia following cerebrovascular accident, and it also intends to evaluate the prognosis. Of particular interest was the comparative recognition of the spontaneous recovery of voluntary motricity in different segments of the upper extremity in 88 patients, not previously selected, with hemiplegia after cerebrovascular accident, admitted to the hospital at the acute stage. Of the 88 hemiplegic patients studied whose further evolution has been fairly followed 56 cases (group 1) experienced clinical improvement, either with partial or total remission of neurological manifestations and complete recovery of all voluntary movements in the different upper extremity joints, while 32 patients (group 2) with persistent neurological symptoms, particularly spasticity, showed a slighter clinical improvement, as well as only partial recovery of upper extremity movements. The clinical quantification of neurological signs applied in this study, has made possible to report the main significant changes developed during the 88 patients recovery. This criteria has allowed to emphasize the degree of the spontaneous remission of symptoms and the determination of the critical level of stabilization "plateau". The analysis of the data supplied by the two groups led to the following conclusions: a) the critical level of remission of symptoms and the spontaneous recovery of voluntary movements ocurred around the 70th day after the installation of hemiplegia; b) the 256 average score acquired 70 days after the onset of the hemiplegia represents the critical level stabilization (plateau); c) although the presence of early initial movements, immediately after the installation of hemiplegia, is a valuable data for the prognosis, the characterization of early movement patterns is of most important meaning; d) patients with hemiplegia after cerebrovascular acident who present the thumb flexion-extension and opposition movements showed a better prognosis than those whose initial movements were represented by the elbow flexion and/or arm flexion-adduction.

[Spontaneous recovery of function in central nervous system lesions]. / Recuperação espontanea da função nas lesões do sistema nervoso central

A rewiev of the mechanisms responsible for the spontaneous recuperation of function in patients with lesions of the central nervous sistem is made. The spontaneous reorganization theories of the nervous structures and the vicarious function are also referred to. In the last two decades experimental contributions have been accentuated, specially the one conducted by the group of researchers directed by Windle and Guth, who had shown the possibility of regeneration in the central nervous system, as well Lawrende and Kuypers, Brodal, Goldberger and others, which defended the vircarious function as the probable mechanisms of recuperation.