[Electromyographic studies on the effect of the cinnamamide derivative LCB-29 in spastic syndromes (author's transl)]

In ten patients with para- or tetraspastic syndromes of various etiology 5 different spastic phenomena demonstrating pathologically raised excitability of muscle regulation functions were registered electromyographically before and 1 h after i.v. administration of N-(hydroxy-2-ethyl)-cinnamamide (LCB-29). In the majority of cases a marked decrease of spasticity was registered. The rapid onset of this effect of LCB-29 allowed constant test conditions and therefore eliminated other influences on spasticity. The decrease of raised polysynaptic excitability at spinal level led, at least in part, to the assumption of a spinal site of action of LCB-29. The absence of a sedative effect with oral medication makes a strong central effect seem less probable.