Magnetic stimulation in patients with cerebrovascular disease

Central motor conduction disturbances were investigated using magnetic stimulation in patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD). The study participants were 18 CVD patients with a supratentorial lesion and 26 healthy controls. Magnetic stimulation was performed on the skull, the neck and the lumbar with a MAGSTIM Model 200. Muscle action potentials of the thenar and the extensor digitorum brevis were recorded by a Nicolet Compact 4. The results were as follows : 1) Central motor conduction times from the head to the neck (CMCT1) and to the lumbar (CMCT2) were longer on the affected side than on the healthy side and in the controls. 2) Conduction velocity from the head to the lumbar (CMCV) was significantly slower on the affected side of the patients than on the healthy side and in the controls. In conclusion, we were able to electrophysiologically clarify the disturbances of the central motor conduction pathway.