We investigated modulation of functional neuronal connectivity by a proprioceptive stimulus in sixteen young people with dystonia and eight controls. A robotic wrist interface delivered controlled passive wrist extension movements, the onset of which was synchronised with scalp EEG recordings. Data were segmented into epochs around the stimulus and up to 160 epochs per subject were averaged to produce a Stretch Evoked Potential (StretchEP). Event-related network dynamics were estimated using a methodology that features Wavelet Transform Coherency (WTC). Global Microscale Nodal Strength (GMNS) was introduced to estimate overall engagement of areas into short-lived networks related to the StretchEP, and Global Connectedness (GC) estimated the spatial extent of the StretchEP networks. Dynamic Connectivity Maps showed a striking difference between dystonia and controls, with particularly strong theta band event-related connectivity in dystonia. GC also showed a trend towards higher values in dystonia than controls. In summary, we demonstrate the feasibility of this method to investigate event-related neuronal connectivity in relation to a proprioceptive stimulus in a paediatric patient population. Young people with dystonia show an exaggerated network response to a proprioceptive stimulus, displaying both excessive theta-band synchronisation across the sensorimotor network and widespread engagement of cortical regions in the activated network.

我们调查了本体感受性刺激对16名肌张力障碍和8名对照患者的功能性神经元连接的调节。机器人手腕界面提供了受控的被动腕部伸展运动，其发作与头皮脑电图记录同步。将数据细分为刺激周围的各个时期，平均每个受试者最多160个时期以产生拉伸诱发电位（StretchEP）。与事件相关的网络动态是使用具有小波变换一致性（WTC）特征的方法估算的。引入了全球微尺度节点强度（GMNS）来估计区域对与StretchEP相关的短期网络的总体参与度，而全球连通性（GC）则可以估计StretchEP网络的空间范围。动态连接图显示了肌张力障碍与对照之间的显着差异，在肌张力障碍中与θ带事件相关的连接特别强。GC还显示出肌张力障碍值高于对照组的趋势。总之，我们证明了这种方法在儿科患者群体中与本体感受刺激相关的事件相关神经元连通性研究的可行性。肌张力障碍的年轻人对本体感受刺激表现出夸张的网络反应，既表现出整个感觉运动网络过度的θ带同步，又表现出激活网络中皮质区域的广泛参与。我们证明了这种方法在儿科患者群体中与本体感受刺激相关的事件相关神经元连通性研究的可行性。肌张力障碍的年轻人对本体感受刺激表现出夸张的网络反应，既表现出整个感觉运动网络过度的θ带同步，又表现出激活网络中皮质区域的广泛参与。我们证明了这种方法在儿科患者群体中与本体感受刺激相关的事件相关神经元连通性研究的可行性。肌张力障碍的年轻人对本体感受刺激表现出夸张的网络反应，既表现出整个感觉运动网络过度的θ带同步，又表现出激活网络中皮质区域的广泛参与。