Motivational modulation of bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease off and on dopaminergic medication.

Motivational influence on bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease may be observed in situations of emotional and physical stress, a phenomenon known as paradoxical kinesis. However, little is known about motivational modulation of movement speed beyond these extreme circumstances. In particular, it is not known if motivational factors affect movement speed by improving movement preparation/initiation or execution (or both) and how this effect relates to the patients' medication state. In the present study, we tested if provision of motivational incentive through monetary reward would speed-up movement initiation and/or execution in Parkinson's disease patients and if this effect depended on dopaminergic medication. We studied the effect of monetary incentive on simple reaction time in 11 Parkinson's disease patients both "off" and "on" dopaminergic medication and in 11 healthy participants. The simple reaction time task was performed across unrewarded and rewarded blocks. The initiation time and movement time were quantified separately. Anticipation errors and long responses were also recorded. The prospect of reward improved initiation times in Parkinson's disease patients both "off" and "on" dopaminergic medication, to a similar extent as in healthy participants. However, for "off" medication, this improvement was associated with increased frequency of anticipation errors, which were eliminated by dopamine replacement. Dopamine replacement had an additional, albeit small effect, on reward-related improvement of movement execution. Motivational strategies are helpful in overcoming bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease. Motivational factors may have a greater effect on bradykinesia when patients are "on" medication, as dopamine appears to be required for overcoming speed-accuracy trade-off and for improvement of movement execution. Thus, medication status should be an important consideration in movement rehabilitation programmes for patients with Parkinson's disease

Umweltgesetzbuch - Allgemeiner Teil Vorschlag fuer den Gesetzestext

Es handelt sich um einen Auszug aus Berichte 7/90-Umweltgesetzbuch-Allgemeiner Teil. Der Entwurf dient der Kodifizierung der allgemeinen Grundsaetze, Institute und Verfahren des Umweltrechts der Bundesrepublik. Die zahlreichen Unstimmigkeiten sollen beseitigt, Uebersichtlichkeit und Vollziehbarkeit verbessert sowie aus wissenschaftlicher Sicht ein Beitrag zur Fortentwicklung des Umweltrechts geleistet werden. Die 12 Kapitel umfassen: Allgemeine Vorschriften; Umweltpflichten und -rechte; Planung; Umweltfolgenpruefung; Direkte Steuerung; Indirekte Steuerung (Abgaben, Subventionen); Umweltinformation; Umwelthaftung und Entschaedigung fuer Umwelt-Schaeden; Beteiligung von Verbaenden; Oeffentlichkeit von Verfahren; Rechtsetzung und Regelsetzung; Organisation und Zustaendigkeit; Schlussvorschriften. (HSCH)This is an excerpt of the Report 7/90 on the General Part of the Code of Environmental Law. The draft gives a codification of the general principles, institutes and procedures of environmental law in the Federal Republic. It endeavours to resolve the numerous disputes, improve the lucidity and comprehensibility and, from the scientific aspect, make a contribution to the advancement of environmental law. The twelve chapters comprise: general regulations; obligations and rights under environmental law; planning: examination of environmental effects; direct control; indirect control (taxes, subsidies); environmental information; environmental liability and indemnification for environmental damage; participation of associations, publicity of procedures; legislative and sublegislative law-making; organisation and competence; concluding regulations. (HSCH)Excerpt from the book: ''Berichte 7/90, Umweltgesetzbuch - Allgemeiner Teil'', Berlin: Schmidt, 1990SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 8422(1992,10) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman