Abstract
Objective: Neurophysiologic studies demonstrated that patients with primary torsion dystonia (PTD) and with psychogenic dystonia (Psy-D) share similar abnormalities in the motor system. In this study, we evaluated somatosensory function in Psy-D by testing temporal discrimination threshold (TDT), and compared the results with those obtained in patients with PTD. Methods: TDT of tactile stimuli was assessed in 10 patients with Psy-D, 10 patients with PTD, and 16 control subjects. The 2 groups of patients were matched for age, gender, disease duration, and distribution of dystonia. Tactile stimuli consisted of pairs of non-noxious electrical shocks delivered to the right or left hand at interstimulus interval increasing from 0 to 400 msec, in 10-msec steps. TDT was defined as the value at which subjects recognized the 2 stimuli as asynchronous. Results: TDT was higher in Psy-D and PTD compared to control subjects, for both the right and the left hand. In a subgroup of patients with unilateral dystonia (Psy-D = 4, PTD = 5), TDT did not differ between the affected and the unaffected side in both groups of patients. Disease duration was not correlated to the increased TDT value. Conclusions: Our study suggests an impaired processing of somatosensory inputs in both Psy-D and PTD. These abnormalities might represent a neurophysiological trait predisposing to develop a dystonic posture triggered by psychiatric and psychological factors.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1191-1197 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Neurology |
| Volume | 77 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Sep 20 2011 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Cite this
Abnormal tactile temporal discrimination in psychogenic dystonia. / Morgante, F.; Tinazzi, M.; Squintani, G.; Martino, D.; Defazio, G.; Romito, L.; Albanese, A.; Di Matteo, A.; Quartarone, A.; Girlanda, P.; Fiorio, M.; Berardelli, A.
In: Neurology, Vol. 77, No. 12, 20.09.2011, p. 1191-1197.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Abnormal tactile temporal discrimination in psychogenic dystonia
AU - Morgante, F.
AU - Tinazzi, M.
AU - Squintani, G.
AU - Martino, D.
AU - Defazio, G.
AU - Romito, L.
AU - Albanese, A.
AU - Di Matteo, A.
AU - Quartarone, A.
AU - Girlanda, P.
AU - Fiorio, M.
AU - Berardelli, A.
PY - 2011/9/20
Y1 - 2011/9/20
N2 - Objective: Neurophysiologic studies demonstrated that patients with primary torsion dystonia (PTD) and with psychogenic dystonia (Psy-D) share similar abnormalities in the motor system. In this study, we evaluated somatosensory function in Psy-D by testing temporal discrimination threshold (TDT), and compared the results with those obtained in patients with PTD. Methods: TDT of tactile stimuli was assessed in 10 patients with Psy-D, 10 patients with PTD, and 16 control subjects. The 2 groups of patients were matched for age, gender, disease duration, and distribution of dystonia. Tactile stimuli consisted of pairs of non-noxious electrical shocks delivered to the right or left hand at interstimulus interval increasing from 0 to 400 msec, in 10-msec steps. TDT was defined as the value at which subjects recognized the 2 stimuli as asynchronous. Results: TDT was higher in Psy-D and PTD compared to control subjects, for both the right and the left hand. In a subgroup of patients with unilateral dystonia (Psy-D = 4, PTD = 5), TDT did not differ between the affected and the unaffected side in both groups of patients. Disease duration was not correlated to the increased TDT value. Conclusions: Our study suggests an impaired processing of somatosensory inputs in both Psy-D and PTD. These abnormalities might represent a neurophysiological trait predisposing to develop a dystonic posture triggered by psychiatric and psychological factors.
AB - Objective: Neurophysiologic studies demonstrated that patients with primary torsion dystonia (PTD) and with psychogenic dystonia (Psy-D) share similar abnormalities in the motor system. In this study, we evaluated somatosensory function in Psy-D by testing temporal discrimination threshold (TDT), and compared the results with those obtained in patients with PTD. Methods: TDT of tactile stimuli was assessed in 10 patients with Psy-D, 10 patients with PTD, and 16 control subjects. The 2 groups of patients were matched for age, gender, disease duration, and distribution of dystonia. Tactile stimuli consisted of pairs of non-noxious electrical shocks delivered to the right or left hand at interstimulus interval increasing from 0 to 400 msec, in 10-msec steps. TDT was defined as the value at which subjects recognized the 2 stimuli as asynchronous. Results: TDT was higher in Psy-D and PTD compared to control subjects, for both the right and the left hand. In a subgroup of patients with unilateral dystonia (Psy-D = 4, PTD = 5), TDT did not differ between the affected and the unaffected side in both groups of patients. Disease duration was not correlated to the increased TDT value. Conclusions: Our study suggests an impaired processing of somatosensory inputs in both Psy-D and PTD. These abnormalities might represent a neurophysiological trait predisposing to develop a dystonic posture triggered by psychiatric and psychological factors.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80555143060&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31822f0449
DO - 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31822f0449
M3 - Article
C2 - 21900627
AN - SCOPUS:80555143060
VL - 77
SP - 1191
EP - 1197
JO - Neurology
JF - Neurology
SN - 0028-3878
IS - 12
ER -