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Is the spinal cord the generator of 16-Hz orthostatic tremor?
Jonathan A Norton1, Duncan E Wood, Brian L Day
1MRC Human Movement Group, Sobell Research Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
Abstract:
Primary orthostatic tremor is characterized by 16-Hz motor activity that is coherent between muscles. It has been suggested that this tremor originates in the brain. This view is questioned by findings from a patient with complete paraplegia who experiences intermittent leg spasms at rest. The EMG activity within the spasms showed a 16-Hz component that was coherent between muscles unilaterally and bilaterally. This raises the possibility that the spinal cord could be the source of orthostatic tremor.
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