Abnormalities of central motor conduction in asymptomatic HIV-positive patients. Significance and prognostic value

C Zandrini; C Ciano; E Alfonsi; G Sandrini; L Minoli; A Moglia

Abnormalities of central motor conduction in asymptomatic HIV-positive patients. Significance and prognostic value

Acta Neurol (Napoli). 1990 Aug;12(4):296-300.

Authors

C Zandrini¹, C Ciano, E Alfonsi, G Sandrini, L Minoli, A Moglia

Affiliation

¹ Dept. of Clinical Neurophysiology, IRCCS C. Mondino, Italy.

PMID: 2251956

Abstract

Percutaneous magnetic stimulation of the brain and spinal cord is a technique developed to demonstrate early and subclinical abnormalities in corticomotoneuron pathways. Central motor conduction time (CMCT) was evaluated in 58 HIV-seropositive patients neurologically asymptomatic (CDC groups II and III) and in two control groups. CMCT was abnormal in about 50% of HIV-seropositive patients. These electrophysiological abnormalities seem to have a negative prognostic value since about 64% of the patients with abnormal parameters seem to progress more rapidly to AIDS stages.

MeSH terms

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / physiopathology*
Action Potentials
Adult
Female
HIV Seropositivity / physiopathology*
Humans
Male
Neural Conduction*