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Related Concept Videos

Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification01:29

Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification

Spasmolytic agents are drugs used to alleviate muscle spasms and spasticity. They can be categorized into different chemical groups based on their mechanisms of action. Centrally acting spasmolytics primarily affect the spinal cord, while others directly target skeletal muscle cells.
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also promote...
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Tetanus

Tetanus is a life-threatening neurological disorder characterized by persistent muscle contractions and spastic paralysis. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe. These bacteria produce terminal endospores, giving them a distinctive “lollipop” or “tennis-racket” appearance. They thrive in anaerobic environments, such as those found in deep puncture wounds.Once introduced into the body, the spores germinate into vegetative cells. These cells...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:31

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx as...
Seizures: Classification01:13

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Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
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Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
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Somatic Spinal Reflexes01:22

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Somatic spinal reflexes are rapid, involuntary muscular responses to external stimuli that involve the somatic musculature and the spinal cord.
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...

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Infantile spasms: a U.S. consensus report.

John M Pellock1, Richard Hrachovy, Shlomo Shinnar

  • 1Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA. jpellock@mcvh-vcu.edu

Epilepsia
|July 9, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Infantile spasms (IS) diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. This consensus provides updated U.S. guidelines for early recognition, diagnosis, and management to improve infant outcomes.

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Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

  • Infantile spasms (IS) diagnosis, evaluation, and management present ongoing challenges for physicians.
  • Existing 2004 guidelines show diversity in IS care, necessitating updated consensus for optimal outcomes.
  • A need exists for standardized protocols to guide specialists and general pediatricians.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding and evidence for infantile spasms (IS) therapies.
  • To establish consensus on diagnostic workup and management protocols for IS.
  • To provide a guide for optimal management of infants with IS.

Main Methods:

  • Convened the Infantile Spasms Working Group (ISWG) focused on IS diagnosis, treatment, and care continuum.
  • Conducted a workshop to assess the state of IS understanding and therapeutic evidence.
  • Developed consensus protocols for diagnostic evaluation and management of IS.

Main Results:

  • The workshop reviewed the current understanding of IS and assessed evidence for available treatments.
  • Consensus was reached on protocols for diagnostic workup and management of IS.
  • The article represents a consensus on the U.S. approach to IS evaluation and treatment.

Conclusions:

  • The consensus aims to improve IS outcomes through early recognition and diagnosis.
  • Emphasis on initiating prompt first-line therapy and timely electroencephalography (EEG) evaluation.
  • Guidelines support prompt treatment modification when indicated to optimize infant care.