Thanks to the nervous system, the interaction of organs with each other is ensured. When it is damaged, functional connections are disrupted, which leads to problems throughout the body.
Amyostatic syndrome (akinetic-rigid) is a severe form of a progressive type of disease, which is accompanied by impaired motor activity. At the same time, muscle tone increases. Against the background of such a pathology, parkinsonism often develops.
Reasons
The pathogenesis of amyostatic syndrome has not yet been fully elucidated. Studies suggest that the cause is a decrease in the level of the neurotransmitter dophin in the substantia nigra and basal ganglia of the brain. Such an anomaly is called Mersh and Woltman syndrome - in honor of the American scientists who first described it. They assumed it was a hereditary disease.
Provoking factors for the development of such a pathology are:
- hydrocephalus;
- paralysis with limb tremor;
- complicated formencephalitis;
- predisposition at the genetic level to Parkinson's disease;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels;
- carbon monoxide poisoning;
- calcification;
- amyotrophic sclerosis;
- brain damage due to syphilis;
- head injury;
- AIDS;
- side effects from prolonged or misuse of phenothiazine-type antipsychotics.
These are the main causes of the development of amyostatic syndrome. But still, most often it develops due to parkinsonism.
Amyostatic syndrome symptoms
This pathology is also called muscle stiffness syndrome. First of all, it is manifested by the fact that the tone rises even to a rigid state. A person has problems with reflexes. He fails to maintain a stable position of the whole body or only individual parts. The condition also worsens due to tremors in the arms or legs. Because of this, the quality of life of the patient decreases. In the future, he may become completely immobilized.
In addition to these main signs, the amyostatic symptom complex is also manifested by others:
- plastic hypertonicity develops;
- arms and legs are in a bent position at all times;
- head leans heavily towards chest;
- the variety of movements is significantly reduced (this phenomenon is called oligokinesis);
- communication skills are impaired, speech becomes slurred, monotonous;
- intellectual development stops;
- emotions cease to be expressive - partially or completely (this phenomenon is called hypomimia);
- handwriting changes - for example, at the end of sentences, the letters are sharply reduced (a similar phenomenon is known as micrography);
- movements become stiff and slow (this phenomenon is called bradykinesia);
- the patient's attention is fixated on one topic when he communicates with other people (the phenomenon is called akairiya);
- the patient can freeze in any position during movement (this phenomenon is called the wax figure posture);
- at rest, the leg bends.
In addition, a variety of manifestations of such a pathology is the syndrome of a rigid person. It is characterized by the following:
- extensor muscles are in hypertonicity;
- shoulder line raised;
- head tilted back;
- the spine is bent (in particular, lordosis develops);
- abdominal muscles are constantly tense;
- the muscles of the chest are strongly reduced, and uncontrollably.
In the future, due to the constant tension of the body, the position of the upper and lower extremities freezes in an abnormal position. A person will no longer be able to move without someone's help.
The following stages of the development of the disease are distinguished:
- Initial. Characterized by joint stiffness, movement restrictions, myasthenia gravis.
- Mixed rigid. Muscle degeneration occurs, there is a tremor of the arms, legs, jaw.
- Shaky. Muscle tonenormal. Weakness is not felt. But at the same time, the arms and legs constantly vibrate.
With the last form of the disease, a person can no longer eat or move on his own.
Diagnosis
Before starting the treatment of amyostatic syndrome, an examination is required, which includes laboratory and instrumental studies.
During the diagnosis, the doctor pays attention to bradykinesis. It is characterized by slow movement, speech. In addition, there will be a noticeable rigid state of the muscles, tremor of the hands. To exclude Parkinson's disease, tumors or dropsy, magnetic resonance and computed tomography, as well as nuclear spin resonance scanning of the brain, are performed for differential diagnosis.
Treatment
If the diagnosis of amyostatic syndrome is confirmed, then the doctor will select therapy individually for each patient, but dosing decisions are standard. The severity of the patient's condition, his age, and the clinical form of the disease are taken into account.
Therapy starts with the lowest dosage. It involves the use of only one agent (monotherapy), as well as the rejection of antizolinergic drugs and acetylcholine blockers. In addition, monitor the development of symptoms and the body's response to the drugs used.
Drugs
Conservative therapy involves the use of medications.
For example, muscle relaxants are used. They reduce muscle tone. For example, you can use Mydocalm, Flexin, Meprotan.
Dopamine receptor blockers are used. But only in the blood, not in the brain. For example, medicines such as Haloperidol, Thiopropazate, Pimozide are suitable.
They prescribe the drug "L-Dopa". Such a medicine is prescribed for a trembling form of the disease. Use the medicine only in the most severe cases.
Means for restoring motor activity. Suitable "Pyridoxine", "Romparkin", "Lizurid".
Additionally prescribed, if necessary, medication for seizures, insomnia, depression.
Drugs that reduce muscle tone are used. For example, they have indications for the use of Cyclodol, Tropacin and others.
Conclusion
Amyostatic syndrome is a severe, rapidly developing disease in which a person suffers from limb tremors, hypertonicity and other problems with motor functions.
When using special medicines and starting therapy in the early stages of the disease, the patient's life prospects improve significantly. If the disease is ignored, then paralysis will quickly develop, and the person will not be able to move independently.
