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The trigemino-cervical reflex in normal subjects
I Milanov1, D Bogdanova, B Ishpekova
1St. Naum University Neurological Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria. milanovivan@hotmail.com
Functional Neurology
|August 10, 2001
Summary
This study identified the optimal method for examining the trigemino-cervical reflex in humans. Supraorbital nerve stimulation on a relaxed sternocleidomastoid muscle yielded the most reproducible results.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Physiology
Background:
- The trigemino-cervical reflex (TCR) has limited reporting in human studies.
- Existing methods for TCR examination lack standardization and reproducibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare different methods for evaluating the TCR.
- To establish a reproducible method for TCR assessment in humans.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the TCR in 32 healthy volunteers.
- Applied stimulation to supraorbital, infraorbital, or mental nerves.
- Recorded responses from sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles at rest and during voluntary contraction.
Main Results:
- The TCR presented differently based on muscle activity: a two-component reflex in active muscles and a one-component reflex in relaxed muscles.
- Supraorbital nerve stimulation of the resting sternocleidomastoid muscle produced the most reproducible TCR responses.
Conclusions:
- The trigemino-cervical reflex is most reliably elicited from the relaxed sternocleidomastoid muscle.
- Supraorbital nerve stimulation is the preferred method for reproducible TCR evaluation.
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