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Transcallosal inhibition and motor conduction studies in patients with schizophrenia using transcranial magnetic stimulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

B. Boroojerdi ,
R. Töpper ,
H. Foltys  and
U. Meincke
B. Boroojerdi*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Germany
R. Töpper
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Germany
H. Foltys
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Germany
U. Meincke
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Germany
*
B. Boroojerdi, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Building 10, Room 5N234, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1430, USA. Tel: + 1 301 4023499; fax: + 1 301 4021007; e-mail: boroojer@codon.nih.gov
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Abstract

Background

Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex may not only elicit excitatory responses in hand muscles contralateral to the stimulated hemisphere, but may also suppress tonic voluntary electromyogram activity in muscles ipsilateral to the stimulation. This inhibition is mediated between the motor cortices via the corpus callosum.

Aims

To investigate motor excitability and interhemispheric (transcallosal) connections in patients with schizophrenia.

Method

Transcallosal inhibition and motor conduction parameters were investigated in ten patients with schizophrenia and in ten age- and gender-matched healthy subjects.

Results

Transcallosal conduction time (TCT) and duration of the inhibition were significantly longer in patients with schizophrenia (mean (s.d.)): TCT, 12.4 (2.9) ms in normal subjects and 15.3 (2.6) ms in patients (P=0.03); mean duration, 34.1 (4.9) ms in normal subjects and 51.9 (16.8) ms in patients (P=0.01).

Conclusions

Magnetic motor conduction parameters are unaltered in schizophrenia, but transcallosal inhibition is significantly delayed and prolonged. This may indicate abnormal function of the corpus callosum in these patients.

Type
Preliminary Reports
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 175 , Issue 4 , October 1999 , pp. 375 - 379
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

Grants received from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.

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