DENVER, CO As if being struck by lightning wasnt hard enough on a person, in rare cases, ongoing complications of the nervous system result in involuntary movement disorders. Among lightning-strike victims, researchers have discovered involuntary movement symptoms including uncontrollable blinking and forcible closure of eyelids, tic-like movements resembling Tourettes syndrome, guttural vocalizations, hand tremors, and spasms of major muscle groups.
Through a study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, researchers from the Lightning Data Center of St. Anthony Hospital, Denver, are raising awareness of this uncommon, but debilitating neurological complication among lightning-strike patients. Involuntary movement disorders IMDs -- are more commonly found in patients whove experienced a generated electrical trauma, such as contact with a live ungrounded wire, commented study author Michael Cherington, MD, Yet we have found four patients who had these symptoms after being struck by lightning.
The explanations for IMD after lightning strikes vary from a direct causal relationship to a precipitating factor, or IMD symptoms may even be coincidental to the lightning strike event. Further study will help elucidate the role of lightning strike in IMD, and also identify potential treatment options.
'"/>
Contact: Cheryl Alementi
calementi@aan.com
651-695-2737
American Academy of Neurology
16-Apr-2002
Page: 1 Related medicine news :1.
Thought for food2.
Personality, Thought To Be Stable Over Time, Changes In Healthy People Who Take A Widely Used Anti-Depressant3.
Common Drug-Capsule Coating Not As Inert As Previously Thought4.
IgG treatment during pregnancy reduces severity of rare, recurring liver condition in newborns5.
Injury from epileptic seizures relatively rare, Mayo Clinic study find6.
Forensic dentistry key in identifying victims of tsunamis, other disasters7.
New device will help stroke victims recovery8.
MDCT alone is effective in diagnosing spine injuries in blunt trauma victims9.
World AIDS Day program shows how AIDS affects its smallest victims in AIDS Orphans: Lost Childhood10.
Drug proven to benefit heart attack victims vastly underused11.
Hospital costs much higher for motorcycle crash victims who dont wear helmets