Motor mechanisms in schizophrenic patients with tardive dyskinesia. 1994

P B Vrtunski, and L D Alphs, and H Y Meltzer
Microbehavior Research Laboratory, VA Medical Center, Brecksville, OH 44141, USA.

A specific aspect of the motor output of patients with tardive dyskinesia was investigated with an experimental procedure referenced in force control function (i.e., the maintenance of sustained force output). We hypothesized that response output (button press) at a given level would be significantly altered when preceded by an output of a higher force than when preceded by an output of a lower force. The difference could be interpreted as a behavioral measure of fatigability and/or threshold change, and its quantitative aspects could serve as a marker of motor impairment. Three groups of subjects participated in the study: schizophrenic patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD), schizophrenic patients without tardive dyskinesia, and normal control subjects. The test used was a target-matching task with force output ranging from 5 to 560 cN. Three dependent measures were used: output force, steadiness of force maintenance, and latency of target capture. Results indicated that precedent output at the previous trial significantly altered force, but even better group separation was attained with the measure of steadiness. The TD schizophrenic group's performance was least efficient, the control group's was most efficient, and the non-TD schizophrenic group's performance was intermediate. The principal conclusions reached were that the target-matching response reflects mechanisms related to both fatigability and recruitment of motor units involved in output control.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009043 Motor Activity Body movements of a human or an animal as a behavioral phenomenon. Activities, Motor,Activity, Motor,Motor Activities
D009119 Muscle Contraction A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments. Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D010054 Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale A scale comprising 18 symptom constructs chosen to represent relatively independent dimensions of manifest psychopathology. The initial intended use was to provide more efficient assessment of treatment response in clinical psychopharmacology research; however, the scale was readily adapted to other uses. (From Hersen, M. and Bellack, A.S., Dictionary of Behavioral Assessment Techniques, p. 87) Overall and Gorham Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale,Overall-Gorham Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale,Overall Gorham Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
D011999 Recruitment, Neurophysiological The spread of response if stimulation is prolonged. (Campbell's Psychiatric Dictionary, 8th ed.) Recruitment, Motor Unit,Motor Unit Recruitment,Neurophysiological Recruitment
D004409 Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced Abnormal movements, including HYPERKINESIS; HYPOKINESIA; TREMOR; and DYSTONIA, associated with the use of certain medications or drugs. Muscles of the face, trunk, neck, and extremities are most commonly affected. Tardive dyskinesia refers to abnormal hyperkinetic movements of the muscles of the face, tongue, and neck associated with the use of neuroleptic agents (see ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS). (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1199) Dyskinesia, Medication-Induced,Medication-Induced Dyskinesia,Drug-Induced Dyskinesia,Drug-Induced Dyskinesias,Dyskinesia, Drug Induced,Dyskinesia, Medication Induced,Dyskinesias, Drug-Induced,Dyskinesias, Medication-Induced,Medication Induced Dyskinesia,Medication-Induced Dyskinesias
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012559 Schizophrenia A severe emotional disorder of psychotic depth characteristically marked by a retreat from reality with delusion formation, HALLUCINATIONS, emotional disharmony, and regressive behavior. Dementia Praecox,Schizophrenic Disorders,Disorder, Schizophrenic,Disorders, Schizophrenic,Schizophrenias,Schizophrenic Disorder
D014150 Antipsychotic Agents Agents that control agitated psychotic behavior, alleviate acute psychotic states, reduce psychotic symptoms, and exert a quieting effect. They are used in SCHIZOPHRENIA; senile dementia; transient psychosis following surgery; or MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION; etc. These drugs are often referred to as neuroleptics alluding to the tendency to produce neurological side effects, but not all antipsychotics are likely to produce such effects. Many of these drugs may also be effective against nausea, emesis, and pruritus. Antipsychotic,Antipsychotic Agent,Antipsychotic Drug,Antipsychotic Medication,Major Tranquilizer,Neuroleptic,Neuroleptic Agent,Neuroleptic Drug,Neuroleptics,Tranquilizing Agents, Major,Antipsychotic Drugs,Antipsychotic Effect,Antipsychotic Effects,Antipsychotics,Major Tranquilizers,Neuroleptic Agents,Neuroleptic Drugs,Tranquillizing Agents, Major,Agent, Antipsychotic,Agent, Neuroleptic,Drug, Antipsychotic,Drug, Neuroleptic,Effect, Antipsychotic,Major Tranquilizing Agents,Major Tranquillizing Agents,Medication, Antipsychotic,Tranquilizer, Major
D018763 Muscle Fatigue A state arrived at through prolonged and strong contraction of a muscle. Studies in athletes during prolonged submaximal exercise have shown that muscle fatigue increases in almost direct proportion to the rate of muscle glycogen depletion. Muscle fatigue in short-term maximal exercise is associated with oxygen lack and an increased level of blood and muscle lactic acid, and an accompanying increase in hydrogen-ion concentration in the exercised muscle. Fatigue, Muscle,Muscular Fatigue,Fatigue, Muscular

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