THE KNEE KINEMATICAL COORDINATION INVESTIGATION OF AN IMC CHILD DURING GAIT

International audienceCerebral palsy patients (cerebral infirm motor or IMC in French) present kinematical and kinetic differences with normal subjects and between their own left/right sides. These kinematical differences can be in relation with segmental coordination differences. The aim of this study is to characterize such segmental organization between the shank and the thigh for a cerebral palsy child in order to compare this coordination between left/right sides with the method of relative phase. A population of healthy subject let to validate our method with Byrne et al.'s results [1]. A young cerebral palsy child constitutes our clinical population for this study. A motion capture system (Vicon250) was used in order to capture movements of shank and thigh in sagittal plane. All the subjects walk at their self-selected speed along a horizontal walkway (9m). The angular position and angular velocity (calculated from position) of the shank and the thigh are computed as Byrne et al. After validation of our healthy results with Byrne et al's ones, we can describe the patient's curves. For him, the same path is observed between left and right sides. However, right side globally leads the left side. An important part of the stance phase presents the same temporal organization between these two sides

Measuring the surface stress polar dependence

While measurements of the polar dependence of the surface free energy are easily available, measurements of the whole polar dependence of the surface stress of a crystal do not exist. In this paper is presented a new procedure that allows, for the first time, the experimental determination of the surface stress polar dependence of a crystal. For this purpose (1) electromigration is used to control the kinetic faceting of surface orientations that belong to the equilibrium shape of the crystal and (2) for each destabilised surface, the period of faceting as well as the crystallographic angles of the appearing facets are measured by AFM. The so-obtained data lead to a set of equations whose mathematical solution, compatible with physical constraints, gives access to the surface stress polar dependence of the whole crystal and thus to a better understanding of surface stress properties.Comment: 8 pages, 6 Figure

Experience with external pump trial prior to implantation for intrathecal baclofen in ambulatory patients with spastic cerebral palsy [Prédiction de l'efficacité du baclofène intrathécal chez les patients infirmes moteurs cérébraux à potentiel ambulatoire : intérêt du placement d'une pompe externe]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate effectiveness and safety of intrathecal baclofen administration (ITB) testing with continuous infusion via an external pump before the implantation of an internal one in ambulatory spastic patients with cerebral palsy (CP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven CP patients (3 diplegic, 4 quadriplegic - 18.4+/-7.0 years) with a progressive decrease in walking ability were included. Assessments included: Ashworth's scale, Observational Gait Scale (OGS), and GMFM-66. RESULTS: During the ITB test (45-150 microg/24h), spasticity decreased by more than two points on Ashworth's scale (p<0.001) and walking ability improved (median OGS increased from 7 to 9, p<or=0.05). After implantation of an internal Synchromed pump (dosage 66-160 microg/24h), mean GMFM-66 increased from 49.9+/-7.3 to 54.5+/-7.7 (p<0.05) and median OGS from 7 to 10 (p<0.05). Two nonambulatory patients recovered some walking ability following implantation of the pump. Adverse effects included one case of chemical meningitis during the test and two temporary CSF leaks. CONCLUSIONS: Tests of ITB using a continuous infusion by an external pump allowed precise evaluation of the effects of different ITB doses on walking ability, enabling prediction of how the patient would respond to an internal pump. All patients showed ambulatory improvement with ITB

A French observational study of botulinum toxin use in the management of children with cerebral palsy: BOTULOSCOPE.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Dystonia and spasticity are common symptoms in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP), whose management is a challenge to overcome in order to enable the harmonized development of motor function during growth. AIM: To describe botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) use and efficacy as a treatment of focal spasticity in CP children in France. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 282 CP children mostly administered according to French standards with BTX-A in lower limbs. Realistic therapeutic objectives were set with parents and children together before treatment initiation and assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Child management was recorded and the efficacy of injections was assessed during a 12-month follow-up period by physicians (Modified Ashworth Scale, joint range of motion, Physician Rating Scale, Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire and Gross Motor Function Measure-66) and by patients/parents (Visual Analogue Scale). RESULTS: BTX-A treatment was administered in different muscle localizations at once and at doses higher than those recommended by the French Health Authorities. Children were treated in parallel by physiotherapy, casts and ortheses. Injections reduced spasticity and improved joint range of motion, gait pattern and movement capacity. Pain was reduced after injections. BTX-A administration was safe: no botulism-like case was reported. The log of injected children who were not included in the study suggested that a large population could benefit from BTX-A management. CONCLUSIONS: We showed here the major input of BTX-A injections in the management of spasticity in CP children. The results are in favor of the use of BTX-A as conservative safe and efficient treatment of spasticity in children, which enables functional improvement as well as pain relief

Bridging Cognitive, Affective, and Social Neuroscience with Education

In the last ten years there has been growing interest in applying knowledge about the functioning of the human brainto the field of education including reading, writing, and mathematics. On the other hand, recent advances in neuroscience highlight connections between emotion, social functioning, and decision-making. In particular, theneurobiological evidence suggests that social skills, decision-making abilities, and some aspects of cognition related to self-regulated learning, such as executive functions, are deeply affected and subsumed within the processes of emotion. There are, however, different positions, which we will try to summarize, about how to bridge neuroscientific data and theory with educational practices andstrategies in the classroom. Indeed, there is an important gap between theinner workings of the brain which is the level of neuroscience, where various aspects of biology, physiology, and chemistry are concerned with the structure, organization and development of the brain as a physical organism and the practical application of knowledge about human behavior to promote effective teaching and learning, which is the field of education. Finally, we will present some results of our research on the effect of executive functions, and IQ on mathematical skills such as number production, mental calculus, and arithmetical problems and executive functions on written composition, as well as how the problems in affective developmental affect cognitive and school performanceFil: Richaud, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi; ArgentinaFil: Arán Filippetti, Vanessa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental "Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi". Grupo Vinculado CIIPME - Entre Ríos - Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental "Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi"; ArgentinaFil: Mesurado, Maria Belen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicología Matemática y Experimental Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi; Argentin