Pathophysiology of Spasticity: Implications for Neurorehabilitation
Joint Authors
Trompetto, Carlo
Mori, Laura
Pelosin, Elisa
Currà, Antonio
Molfetta, Luigi
Abbruzzese, Giovanni
Marinelli, Lucio
Source
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-10-30
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Spasticity is the velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone due to the exaggeration of stretch reflex.
It is only one of the several components of the upper motor neuron syndrome (UMNS).
The central lesion causing the UMNS disrupts the balance of supraspinal inhibitory and excitatory inputs directed to the spinal cord, leading to a state of disinhibition of the stretch reflex.
However, the delay between the acute neurological insult (trauma or stroke) and the appearance of spasticity argues against it simply being a release phenomenon and suggests some sort of plastic changes, occurring in the spinal cord and also in the brain.
An important plastic change in the spinal cord could be the progressive reduction of postactivation depression due to limb immobilization.
As well as hyperexcitable stretch reflexes, secondary soft tissue changes in the paretic limbs enhance muscle resistance to passive displacements.
Therefore, in patients with UMNS, hypertonia can be divided into two components: hypertonia mediated by the stretch reflex, which corresponds to spasticity, and hypertonia due to soft tissue changes, which is often referred as nonreflex hypertonia or intrinsic hypertonia.
Compelling evidences state that limb mobilisation in patients with UMNS is essential to prevent and treat both spasticity and intrinsic hypertonia.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Trompetto, Carlo& Marinelli, Lucio& Mori, Laura& Pelosin, Elisa& Currà, Antonio& Molfetta, Luigi…[et al.]. 2014. Pathophysiology of Spasticity: Implications for Neurorehabilitation. BioMed Research International،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1034439
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Trompetto, Carlo…[et al.]. Pathophysiology of Spasticity: Implications for Neurorehabilitation. BioMed Research International No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1034439
American Medical Association (AMA)
Trompetto, Carlo& Marinelli, Lucio& Mori, Laura& Pelosin, Elisa& Currà, Antonio& Molfetta, Luigi…[et al.]. Pathophysiology of Spasticity: Implications for Neurorehabilitation. BioMed Research International. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1034439
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1034439