Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPS) from upper limb muscles

WCN 2013 No: 511 Topic: 36 — Other topic Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPS) from upper limb muscles E.S. Papathanasiou, C. Iosif, S.S. Papacostas. Clinic B, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Cyprus; Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus Background: Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) are a relatively new method of recording function from the vestibular nervous system. It relies on the fact that the saccule has retained its sensitivity to sound and can be stimulated by such. Recordings are frequently performed from the sternocleidomastoid muscle (cervical VEMPs or cVEMPs) and more recently from the inferior oblique muscle (ocular VEMPs or oVEMPs). Recording from the limbs is rarer and has so far been done in only a few selected muscles such as the gastrocnemius and triceps. A systematic study of all limb muscles within and between individuals has not so far been done. Objective: To systematically study the characteristics of VEMPs from upper limb muscles. Material and methods: Fourteen physiologically normal volunteers were recruited (age range 17–25 years, 4 males and 10 females). Together with the cVEMPs and oVEMPs, attempts to record VEMPs in response tomoderate intensity (120 dB pSPL) tone (500 Hz) stimulation were done from the deltoid, biceps brachii, triceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis muscles. Results: Reproducible responses against a background of tonic contraction were obtained from all muscles, with mean initial peak times of 15 ms (cVEMP), 9.9 ms (oVEMP), 11.5 ms (deltoid), 12.3 ms (biceps), 12.12 ms (triceps) and 16.0 ms (FCR). Conclusion: It is possible to record VEMPs from various upper limb muscles with different mean latencies. This should prove useful in the future to evaluate lesions in the anterior funiculus of the spinal cord at different levels. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.2070 Abstract — WCN 2013 No: 514 Topic: 36 — Other topic Neural correlates of inspection time task performance: A developmental study WCN 2013 No: 514 Topic: 36 — Other topic Neural correlates of inspection time task performance: A developmental study S.S. Papacostas, E.S. Papathanasiou, C. Christoforou, G. Spanoudis. Clinic B, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics, Cyprus; Department of Psychology and Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus Background: Inspection Time Task (ITT) is used as an index of individual differences in perceptual discrimination speed. It is a reliable predictor of the relation between processing speed and psychometric intelligence. Converging findings showed that people with higher IQ identify a briefly presented stimulus more quickly and with greater accuracy than those of a lower IQ. Objective: To examine the neural correlates of developing intelligence by contrasting the behavioral performance as well as the event-related potentials (ERPs) of two groups of children, onewith high IQ scores and onewith low. To our knowledge, speed of processing as neural correlate of intelligence has not been studied systematically during school age and adolescence. Material and methods: This study involved two age-matched samples of 158 children aged 7 through 18 years, selected on the basis of their scores on Wechsler Abbreviated Scales of Intelligence. Children performed the ITT while their electro-cortical activity was registered using a high-density 128-channel electroencephalography acquisition system. Results: Differences were found in the amplitude course of ERPs between 'high IQ' and 'low IQ' individuals which are consistent with their differences in inspection time. 'High IQ' individuals were faster, less prone to err, and demonstrated significantly larger N1 responses. N1 latency and other ERP components did not differentiate between the two IQ groups. Conclusion: Given the specificity of ERP group differences to the N1, the results of the present study suggested that allocation of attentional resources is more difficult for individuals with lower IQ scores. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.2071 Abstract — WCN 2013 No: 505 Topic: 36 — Other topic Hyperactivity and impulsivity in children with allergic rhinitis WCN 2013 No: 505 Topic: 36 — Other topic Hyperactivity and impulsivity in children with allergic rhinitis M.-T. Yang, C.-C. Chen, J.-S. Liang, W.-T. Lee. Pediatrics, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC; Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common chronic allergic disease in school-age children. In addition to physical complications, sleep disturbances, poor school performance, and hyperactivity are all mental complications seen in many children related to their nasal allergies. Increased prevalence and odds ratio of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in AR patients were also noted by analyzing the Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Inattention and hyperactivity in AR children have not been investigated by objective and scientific measurements. Objective: The goal of this study was to see if there was a difference in inattention and hyperactivity between AR children and agematched control children by questionnaires and software. Patients and methods: In this study, we applied the AR symptom score (T5SS), the ADHD symptom and severity scale (SNAP-IV) and the computerized continuous performance test (CPT) to study the attention and the impulsivity in AR children and age-matched control children (aged 6 to 15 years old). Results: Fifty-nine AR children and seventeen control children were enrolled. There were no differences of age and gender between two groups. Hyperactivity subscales of SNAP-IV from both parents and teachers scored significantly higher in AR children (p b 0.01). CPT revealed higher commission error rate, shorter reaction time, and higher d-prime (p b 0.01). Conclusion: AR children were more hyperactive and impulsive than control children. For AR children, behavior and emotion problems in family and at school need close attention and further investigation. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.2072 Abstracts / Journal of the Neurological Sciences 333 (2013) e579–e628 e593