0000000000886744
AUTHOR
Svenja Happe
Transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex induces distinct changes in thermal and mechanical sensory percepts
Abstract Objective The aim of this single-blinded, complete crossover study was to evaluate the effects of tDCS on thermal and mechanical perception, as assessed by quantitative sensory testing (QST). Methods QST was performed upon the radial part of both hands of eight healthy subjects (3 female, 5 male, 25–41 years of age). These subjects were examined before and after cathodal, anodal or sham tDCS, applied in a random order. TDCS was administered for 15 min at a 1 mA current intensity, with the active electrode placed over the left primary motor cortex and the reference electrode above the right orbit. Results After cathodal tDCS, cold detection thresholds (CDT), mechanical detection thr…
Reply: Sensory profile in primary restless legs syndrome and restless legs syndrome associated with small fibre neuropathy
Sir, We wish to thank the editor for giving us the opportunity to respond to this letter. We appreciated reading that Drs Gemignani and Vitetta think our study (Bachmann et al. , 2010) provides support for the differential diagnosis of primary and secondary restless legs syndrome (RLS) associated with small fibre neuropathy, when comparing the sensory profiles of these groups of patients for the first time. Dr Gemignani recently wrote ‘A general consensus on the proposed criteria for the diagnosis of small fibre neuropathy has not been established’ (Gemignani, 2010 b ). This already applies for small fibre neuropathy without complicating RLS; however, for the constellation of RLS with small…
Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation of the primary sensory cortex on somatosensory perception.
Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is able to modify cortical excitability and activity in humans. Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of tDCS of the primary sensory cortex (SI) on thermal and mechanical perception, assessed by quantitative sensory testing (QST). Methods: The comprehensive QST protocol encompassing thermal and mechanical detection and pain thresholds as devised by the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS) was applied to skin areas innervated by the radial and median nerve of 12 healthy subjects, who were examined before and after each tDCS stimulation type. Anodal, cathodal, and sham tDCS was applied at a 1…
Thermal hypoaesthesia differentiates secondary restless legs syndrome associated with small fibre neuropathy from primary restless legs syndrome.
This study aimed to assess thermal and mechanical perception and pain thresholds in primary idiopathic restless legs syndrome and secondary restless legs syndrome associated with small fibre neuropathy. Twenty-one patients (age: 53.4 + or - 8.4, n = 3, male) with primary restless legs syndrome and 13 patients (age: 63.0 + or - 8.2, n = 1, male) with secondary restless legs syndrome associated with small fibre neuropathy were compared with 20 healthy subjects (age: 58.0 + or - 7.0; n = 2, male). Differential diagnosis of secondary restless legs syndrome associated with small fibre neuropathy was based on clinical symptoms and confirmed with skin biopsies in all patients. A comprehensive quan…