RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Electrophysiology of motor pathways for sphincter control in multiple sclerosis.
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 955
OP 960
DO 10.1136/jnnp.53.11.955
VO 53
IS 11
A1 S E Mathers
A1 D A Ingram
A1 M Swash
YR 1990
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/53/11/955.abstract
AB The central and peripheral motor pathways serving striated sphincter muscle function were studied using cortical and lumbar transcutaneous electrical stimulation, pudendal nerve stimulation and sphincter electromyography in 23 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and sphincter disturbance, including incontinence of urine or faeces, urinary voiding dysfunction, or constipation. The central motor conduction time was significantly increased in the MS group compared to controls (p less than 0.05). Damage to both the upper and lower motor neuron pathways can contribute to sphincter disturbance in MS. The latter may be due to coexisting pathology or to involvement of the conus medullaris by MS.