We used this technique in a patient who experienced phantom limb pain. Functional magnetic

resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to guide electrode placement and to assist in understanding the control mechanisms involved in phantom limb pain.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old man whose right arm had been amputated 2 years previously experienced phantom limb pain and phantom limb phenomena, described as the apparent possibility of moving the amputated hand voluntarily. He was treated with chronic motor cortex stimulation.

INTERVENTION: Data from fMRI were used pre- and postoperatively to detect shoulder and stump cortical activated areas and the “”virtual”" amputated hand cortical area. These sites of preoperative fMRI activation were integrated in an infrared-based frameless stereotactic device for surgical planning. MLN2238 mouse Phantom limb virtual finger movement caused contralateral primary Selleck Cyclopamine motor

cortex activation. Satisfactory pain control was obtained. a 70% reduction in the phantom limb pain was achieved on a visual analog scale. Postoperatively and under chronic stimulation, inhibiting effects on the primary sensorimotor cortex as well as on the contralateral primary motor and sensitive cortices were detected by fMRI studies.

CONCLUSION: Chronic motor cortex stimulation can be used to relieve phantom limb pain and phantom limb phenomena. Integrated by an infrared-based frameless stereotactic device, fMRI data are useful in assisting the neurosurgeon in electrode placement for this indication. Pain control mechanisms and cortical reorganization phenomena can be studied by the use of fMRI.”
“Background. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a well-established measure of lower body physical functioning in older persons but has not been adequately examined in African Americans or younger persons. Moreover, factors associated with changes in SPPB over time have not been reported.

Methods. A representative sample of 998 African Americans (49-65 years old at baseline) living in St. Louis, Missouri were followed for 36 months to examine the predictive

validity of SPPB in this population and identify factors associated with changes in SPPB. SPPB was calibrated to this population, ranged from 0 (worst) see more to 12 (best), and required imputation for about 50% of scores. Adverse outcomes of baseline SPPB included death, nursing]ionic placement, hospitalization, physician visits, incident basic and instrumental activity of daily living disabilities, and functional limitations. Changes in SPPB over 36 months were modeled.

Results. Adjusted for appropriate covariates, weighted appropriately, and using propensity scores to address potential selection bias, baseline SPPB scores were associated with all adverse outcomes except physician visits, and were marginally associated with hospitalization.