Search results for " Reflex"
showing 10 items of 241 documents
Plantar flexor activation capacity and H reflex in older adults: adaptations to strength training.
2002
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the voluntary neural drive and the excitability of the reflex arc could be modulated by training, even in old age. To this aim, the effects of a 16-wk strengthening program on plantar flexor voluntary activation (VA) and on the maximum Hoffman reflex (Hmax)-to-maximum M wave (Mmax) ratio were investigated in 14 elderly men (65–80 yr). After training, isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) increased by 18% ( P < 0.05) and weight-lifting ability by 24% ( P < 0.001). Twitch contraction time decreased by 8% ( P < 0.01), but no changes in half relaxation time and in peak twitch torque were observed. The VA, assessed by twitch …
Mathematical Model Predicts Clinical Ocular Motor Syndromes
2003
: Clinical ocular motor syndromes were compared with ocular motor syndromes simulated by a mathematical model of the vestibuloocular reflex. The mathematical sensorimotor feedforward model of otolith control of three-dimensional binocular eye position is based on relevant anatomical connections of the vestibuloocular reflex from the utricles to extraocular eye muscles. This is the first attempt to simulate static ocular motor syndromes for unilateral utricular or vestibular nerve failure, lesions of the vestibular nucleus, and lesions of the ascending vestibuloocular reflex pathways. Comparison of the predicted syndromes with those found in patients with unilateral disorders of the vestibul…
Masseter reflex in childhood and adolescence.
2003
We report normative data of masseter reflex from a group of 54 children 2-16 years of age. For statistical analysis, the patients were divided into five age groups: 2-4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, and 14-16 years of age. A tap to the chin, using a hammer with a trigger device, elicited the masseter reflex. The response was recorded by surface electrodes. The onset latency and peak-to-peak amplitude of the averaged curve of eight reflex responses were measured. The reflex response could be recorded in all children and adolescents of all groups. The mean latency shortened from age 2 to 7 and was stable at the age of 8 years. As a sign of maturation, the increase of amplitude corresponded to the shorte…
Achilles tendon length changes during walking in long-term diabetes patients
2010
Diabetes leads to numerous side effects, including an increased density of collagen fibrils and thickening of the Achilles tendon. This may increase tissue stiffness and could affect stretch distribution between muscle and tendinous tissues during walking. The primary aim of this study was to examine stretch distribution between muscle and tendinous tissues in the medial gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit in long-term diabetes patients and control subjects during walking.Achilles tendon length changes were investigated in 13 non-neuropathic diabetes patients and 12 controls, whilst walking at a self selected speed across a 10 m force platform. Electromyographic activity was recorded in the me…
Botulinum Toxin Type B Blocks Sudomotor Function Effectively: A 6 Month Follow Up
2003
This study analyzes the suppression of sweat gland activity by botulinum toxin type B. We injected botulinum toxin type B (between 2 and 1000 mouse units subcutaneously) in the lateral side of both lower legs in 15 healthy volunteers. Sweat tests were carried out before botulinum toxin type B injections, and at 3 wk, 3 mo, and 6 mo. We studied focal anhidrosis by iodine–starch staining and by capacitance hygrometry after carbachol iontophoresis, according to the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART). Iodine starch staining indicated that a threshold dose of 8 mouse units botulinum toxin type B leads to anhidrotic skin spots (>4 cm2) after 3 wk. Duration of anhidrosis was prolonged…
A painful tic convulsif due to double neurovascular impingement
2011
Here we present the case of a 50-year-old man suffering from "painful tic convulsif", on the left side of the face, i.e., left trigeminal neuralgia associated with ipsilateral hemifacial spasm. An angio-MRI scan showed a neurovascular confliction of left superior cerebellar artery with the ipsilateral V cranial nerve and of the left inferior cerebellar artery with the ipsilateral VII cranial nerve. Neurophysiological evaluation through esteroceptive blink reflex showed the involvement of left facial nerve. An initial carbamazepine treatment (800 mg/daily) was completely ineffective, so the patient was shifted to lamotrigine 50 b.i.d. that was able to reduce attacks from 4 to 6 times per day…
Reversal of prenatal diazepam-induced deficit in a spatial-object learning task by brief, periodic maternal separation in adult rats.
2005
In the rat, prenatal exposure to diazepam (DZ) induces a permanent reduction in GABA/BZ receptor (R) function and behavioural abnormalities. Environmental modifications during early stages of life can influence brain development and induce neurobiological and behavioural changes throughout adulthood. Indeed, a subtle, periodic, postnatal manipulation increases GABA/BZ R activity and produces facilitatory effects on neuroendocrine and behavioural responses. We here investigated the impact of prenatal treatment with DZ on learning performance in adult 3- and 8-month-old male rats and the influence of a brief, periodic maternal separation on the effects exerted by prenatal DZ exposure. Learnin…
Teachers’ training and inclusive processes in the kindergarten, primary and secondary school: a field research
2020
Inclusion is a continuous process aimed to promote learning and participation of all students, opposing every kind of exclusion and helping educative contexts to take charge diversity of life contexts, interests, experiences, knowledges and competences of students. For development of inclusive processes, teachers’ training represents a necessary change of paradigm in the secondary school that has to be even more organic and systemic. In fact, already in the report by OCSE in 2005, called “Teachers matter: attracting, development and retaining effective teachers”, it affirms that “improvement of quality of teachers’ training is a priority for the single national politics”. To renew the schol…
I traffici illeciti nel Mediterraneo. Persone, stupefacenti, tabacco
2019
Attraverso la combinazione di ricerca criminologica e giuridico-normativa, e grazie anche alla collaborazione con esperti esterni (studiosi, magistrati, rappresentanti di istituzioni italiane e straniere), la ricerca da cui scaturisce il volume ha indagato le interazioni tra i diversi traffici illeciti e la criminalità organizzata nel bacino del Mediterraneo. In tale area, storicamente cruciale per la mobilità di persone e di beni, l’attenzione si è rivolta in particolare ai fenomeni del traffico e della tratta di persone, del traffico di stupefacenti e del contrabbando di sigarette. I contributi raccolti – unitamente al rapporto criminologico e ai cinque rapporti nazionali accessibili su w…
La construcció del coneixement gramatical en aprenents d'educació primària i secundària: algunes aproximacions a l'aprenentatge del verb
2017
El verb és una de les categories que una gramàtica escolar ha d’abordar necessàriament, tant pel que fa al coneixement de la noció i de la seva relació amb altres categories, com per la funció fonamental que pren en l’escriptura. En aquest article presentem tres recerques que descriuen el procés d’aprenentatge que els alumnes de primària i de secundària segueixen a l’hora d’aprendre continguts vinculats amb el verb: el temps del present, el mode verbal i la complementació verbal. Aquests treballs mostren quines estratègies desenvolupen els aprenents i quins obstacles han d’afrontar per desenvolupar un raonament gramatical. Dels estudis es desprèn que determinades intervencions didàctiques (…