Transcranial magnetic stimulation shows impaired transcallosal inhibition in Marchiafava-Bignami syndrome

Eur J Neurol. 2006 Jul;13(7):749-53. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2006.01302.x.

Abstract

A case of Marchiafava-Bignami (MB) syndrome with selective callosal involvement was evaluated by clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the acute phase and 6 months after the onset of symptoms; at the same time, the corticospinally and transcallosally mediated effects elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were investigated. The first MRI study showed the presence of extensive abnormal signal intensity throughout the entire corpus callosum. After high-dose corticosteroid administration her symptoms rapidly resolved, in parallel with the reversion of MRI changes, except for severe cognitive impairment. Follow-up TMS examination revealed persistent transcallosal inhibition (TI) abnormalities. This report indicates that the measurement of TI during the course of MB syndrome is useful for evaluating functional changes to the corpus callosum, including their evaluation with time and after treatment and for elucidating the pathophysiology of MB syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Corpus Callosum / drug effects
  • Corpus Callosum / pathology*
  • Corpus Callosum / radiation effects
  • Demyelinating Diseases / etiology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / therapy*
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / etiology
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*
  • Vitamin B Complex / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Vitamin B Complex