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Camillo Negro (1861-1927) and his method for eliciting the extensor toe sign
Francesco Brigo1, Davide Norata2, Paolo Benna3
1Department of Neurology, Hospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Via Rossini, 5, 39012, Merano-Meran, Italy. dr.francescobrigo@gmail.com.
Summary
The extensor toe sign, or Babinski reflex, indicates pyramidal tract dysfunction. Camillo Negro developed a new method to elicit this reflex during voluntary effort and explored cold and electrical stimulation effects.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- The extensor toe sign, also known as the Babinski reflex, is a key indicator of pyramidal tract dysfunction.
- First described by Joseph Jules François Félix Babiński, its clinical significance is well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail Camillo Negro's novel method for eliciting the extensor toe sign.
- To explore Negro's investigations into factors influencing the sign's appearance, including voluntary effort, cold, and electrical stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Description of Negro's method involving voluntary limb raising in a dorsal decubitus position.
- Investigation into the influence of cold application on the phenomenon.
- Exploration of using (faradic) electrical stimulation to evoke the sign.
Main Results:
- Negro's method elicited the extensor toe sign during voluntary effort in paretic limbs.
- The sign was not elicited in unaffected limbs using Negro's method.
- Negro documented the influence of cold and proposed electrical stimulation for elicitation.
Conclusions:
- Camillo Negro introduced a distinct method for eliciting the extensor toe sign, emphasizing voluntary effort.
- Negro's pioneering work extended to investigating environmental and electrical stimuli for sign provocation.