Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Soleus H-reflex tests and clinical signs of the upper motor neuron syndrome.

1993; BMJ; Volume: 56; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/jnnp.56.7.776

1468-330X

J.H.T.M. Koelman, Lo J. Bour, Antonius A. J. Hilgevoord, G.J. van Bruggen, B.W. Ongerboer de Visser,

Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders

Soleus H-reflex tests are used for elucidating pathophysiological mechanisms in motor control. The cumulative vibratory inhibition of the soleus H-reflex, the ratio of the reflex to direct muscle potential (H to M ratio) and the recovery curve of the soleus H-reflex were studied in 38 patients with varying signs of the upper motor neuron syndrome for a possible relation with clinical features. The results were compared with those obtained from a group of healthy volunteers. The magnitude of vibratory inhibition decreased with increase of hypertonia. The H to M ratio increased as the activity of the tendon reflex was enhanced and correlated to a lesser degree with muscle tone. Both the H to M ratio and late facilitation of the soleus H-reflex recovery curve were elevated in clonus. The findings suggest that alterations in the results of soleus H-reflex tests relate to specific clinical features of the upper motor neuron syndrome. Possible pathophysiological implications are discussed.