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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:24

Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Centrally acting muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and tension by interfering with the postsynaptic reflexes in the central nervous system.
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...
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.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison01:09

Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison

Skeletal muscle relaxants can target the central nervous system [CNS] to reduce muscle tension or act directly at the neuromuscular junction to induce temporary paralysis. These two classes of muscle relaxants are called centrally acting muscle relaxants and peripherally acting muscle relaxants. They differ in their action, mechanism, administration route, and clinical uses.
Centrally acting muscle relaxants can be further divided into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs,...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects01:21

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects

Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
07:20

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

Infantile spasms: treatment challenges.

Nathan Watemberg1

  • 1Child Neurology Unit and Child Development Center, Meir Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Kfar Saba, Israel, nathan.watemberg@clalit.org.il.

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|May 15, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Early, aggressive treatment of infantile spasms (IS) with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or prednisolone can lead to spasm cessation and improved outcomes. Hormonal therapy is preferred over vigabatrin for initial treatment of IS.

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Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
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Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale
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Behavioral Characterization of Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures: Moving Beyond the Racine Scale

Published on: July 8, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Epileptology
  • Clinical Therapeutics

Background:

  • Infantile spasms (IS) pose a significant therapeutic challenge, impacting cognitive development.
  • Traditionally viewed as a "catastrophic" epilepsy due to refractoriness and cognitive effects.
  • Early intervention is crucial to prevent or preserve neurocognitive function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current therapeutic strategies for infantile spasms.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of hormonal therapies, particularly ACTH and prednisolone.
  • To discuss the role of other treatments like vigabatrin, pyridoxine, and ketogenic diets.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing clinical evidence and expert experience regarding IS treatment.
  • Analysis of the effectiveness of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) protocols, including tetracosactide.
  • Comparison of hormonal therapies with other agents like vigabatrin and supportive treatments.

Main Results:

  • Early, aggressive hormonal therapy (ACTH, prednisolone) shows high efficacy in achieving spasm cessation and normalization of EEG (hypsarrhythmia).
  • Specific ACTH protocols, like tetracosactide, demonstrate excellent prognoses for idiopathic IS.
  • Oral prednisolone is a cost-effective alternative to intramuscular ACTH.

Conclusions:

  • Hormonal therapy, especially ACTH, is the recommended initial treatment for infantile spasms.
  • Vigabatrin is a viable option, particularly for tuberous sclerosis-associated IS.
  • Newer agents like CP-115 show future promise for IS treatment.