strychnine and Paraplegia

A rare case of suicidal strychnine poisoning that resolved naturally without treatment is presented. The patient first complained of chest pain, which was originally thought to be caused by a dissecting aneurysm; however, nystagmus, dysesthesia, spastic paraplesia, and hyperreactivity to stimuli shortly developed. Diagnosis was difficult because the patient did not disclose the drinking of strychnine or the suicidal intent, and no abnormal signs were seen in the various central nervous system examinations. The natural course was observed without treatment because the patient's circulatory and respiratory condition was good. Movement disturbances in the upper extremities disappeared after 2 days, nystagmus in 3 days, and dysesthesia and spastic paraplesia in 4 days. The patient was able to stand on the fourth day and walk on the seventh. He was discharged on day 10 without any detectable ill effects.

Topics: Central Nervous System Diseases; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Hyperesthesia; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Spasticity; Paraplegia; Poisoning; Strychnine; Suicide, Attempted

The after effects of orthodromic tetanization on the discharge pattern of gastrocnemius motoneurones were investigated in decerebrate and spinalized cats. tduring stimulation of intact gastrocnemius nerves at 20 Hz, small motoneurones showed ttion for 8 sec, large motoneurones followed the 20 Hz stimulation in 1:1 order, whereas small motoneurones became silent for about 37 sec. Thereafter, the impulse rate of large motoneurone decreased while that of small motoneurone increased, progressively reaching the pre-tetanic values in about 72 sec. When gastrocnemius nerves were tetanized for 20 sec, potentiation of large motoneurones and depression of small motoneurones lasted for about 120 sec. Post-tetanic potentiation of large motoneurone was still observed during stimulation with 40 Hz but not with 80 Hx. Inhibition of a small tonic motoneurone during repetitive activity of a large motoneurone was observed during stimulation of Group I + II afferents following injection of 0.025 mg/kg strychnine. Another strychnine injection of the same dose reduced this inhibition. It was concluded that large-phasic motoneurones may be highly susceptible to post-tetanic potentiation; and that small-tonic motoneurones may be inhibited by large motoneurones through a recurrent circuit.

Topics: Animals; Cats; Decerebrate State; Electric Stimulation; Leg; Motor Neurons; Muscle Contraction; Paraplegia; Reflex, Monosynaptic; Spinal Cord; Strychnine; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Muscle Cramp; Paraplegia; Rabbits; Strychnine; Urethane