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Oxford Textbook of Medicine (5 ed.)

Edited by David A. Warrell, Timothy M. Cox, John D. Firth

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Latest update

The November 2012 update sees updates to over 70 chapters, focusing on Neurology and Gastroenterology. This update also incorporates a selection of 29 Case Histories taken from related titles in the Oxford Case Histories series, linked to from related chapters. Each case includes several questions followed by detailed answers and discussion to enhance diagnostic and clinical understanding.

Neurology updates include substantial updates to key chapters and new material on a wide range of topics including spinal cord injury, autonomic nervous system disorders, and inherited neurodegenerative diseases. 

Gastroenterology updates include extensive revisions of key chapters on liver failure and acute pancreatitis and new material on a wide range of matters, ranging from the common to the rare: including surgical treatments for colonic diverticular disease, antibody tests for immune disorders, and a revised treatment algorithm for small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

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Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Print Publication Date:
May 2010
Print ISBN-13:
9780199204854
Published to Oxford Medicine:
May 2012
DOI:
10.1093/med/9780199204854.001.1

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Disclaimer

Oxford University Press makes no representation, express or implied, that the drug dosages in this book are correct. Readers must therefore always check the product information and clinical procedures with the most up to date published product information and data sheets provided by the manufacturers and the most recent codes of conduct and safety regulations. The authors and the publishers do not accept responsibility or legal liability for any errors in the text or for the misuse or misapplication of material in this work. Except where otherwise stated, drug dosages and recommendations are for the non-pregnant adult who is not breastfeeding.

Contents

Investigation of central motor pathways: magnetic brain stimulation

Chapter:
Investigation of central motor pathways: magnetic brain stimulation
Author(s):

K.R. Mills

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780199204854.003.2434

The ability to percutaneously stimulate the central nervous system of awake humans without causing pain has opened up new areas for neurophysiological investigation in the early diagnosis of neurological disease, also furthered the understanding of normal and abnormal motor control. Magnetic stimulators are now available that can excite both upper and lower limb areas of the motor cortex, as well as cranial nerves, motor roots, and deeply sited peripheral nerves.

Clinical applications—these include: (1) measurement of central motor conduction time—this is prolonged in most cases of multiple sclerosis, the threshold is usually raised in motor neuron disease, and the technique may be useful in cerebellar ataxia, including Friedrich’s ataxia; (2) assessment of completeness of spinal cord injury; and possibly (3) evaluation of neurodevelopmental delay in children with neurodegenerative and other related diseases. The technique can be used serially to monitor progress of disease or after neurological injury or to examine the effects of drugs, and it can be used safely in neonates and children.

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