Cortical reorganization in multiple sclerosis after intrathecal baclofen therapy

Neurocase. 2014 Apr;20(2):225-9. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2013.770872. Epub 2013 Apr 3.

Abstract

Our objective was to assess the role of Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (ITB) in the cortical reorganization in a patient affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) undergoing physical therapy. We reported a case of a woman affected by MS and severe spasticity, who performed an fMRI examination, before and after the ITB implantation. The subject showed controlateral motor cortex activation after motor task. After a month of ITB implantation, patient showed ipsilateral and controlateral motor cortex activation although with a broader extension. fMRI examination supported the hypothesis of a central influence in patients who undergo physiotherapy and therapy with ITB.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Baclofen / therapeutic use*
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Mapping
  • Female
  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Motor Cortex / drug effects*
  • Motor Cortex / physiopathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • GABA-B Receptor Agonists
  • Baclofen