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Central fatigue assessed by transcranial magnetic stimulation
J Liepert1, S Kotterba, M Tegenthoff
1Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, BG-Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany.
Muscle & Nerve
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Central fatigue, a subjective feeling, can be objectively measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This study shows TMS can assess fatigue in central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
Background:
- Central fatigue is a complex phenomenon impacting performance.
- Objective assessment of central fatigue is crucial for understanding its mechanisms and clinical implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with peripheral electrical stimulation in assessing central fatigue.
- To differentiate fatigue mechanisms in patients with central nervous system (CNS) lesions versus healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- TMS and peripheral electrical stimulation were used to assess motor evoked potential (MEP) recovery.
- Measurements were taken before and after an exhaustive task in patients with CNS lesions and control subjects.
Main Results:
- Recovery times of MEP amplitudes were significantly prolonged in patients with CNS lesions.
- Recovery of F waves and compound muscle action potentials showed no significant differences between groups.
- These findings suggest fatigue is a supraspinal phenomenon, likely cortical.
Conclusions:
- Measurement of MEP recovery time using TMS is a simple, objective tool for assessing central fatigue.
- This method can differentiate between healthy individuals and patients with CNS lesions.
- Fatigue assessment via MEP recovery aids in understanding CNS disorders.