G Sandrini

Publications (117)245.33 Total impact

• Article: Pain reflexes in the clinical assessment of migraine syndromes.

  G Sandrini, E Martignoni, G Micieli, E Alfonsi, G Sances, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: Nociceptive flexion reflexes, RIII reflex in particular, have been demonstrated to be a useful tool for pain research in humans, since the threshold of RIII reflex is that of pain. In this study a reduction of RIII reflex threshold, strictly related to the severity of the disease, is described in migraine with interval headache (MIH), that is considered a severe and evolutive form of common migraine (CM). These abnormalities were not found in CM or in other chronic pain conditions, i.e. chronic tensive headache (CTH), suggesting that this electrophysiological parameter may be useful in the clinical assessment of primary headache. Moreover, the administration of amitriptyline, a drug producing analgesia mainly by blocking serotonin uptake, was able to markedly increase the RIII reflex threshold in MIH. This fact supports the hypothesis that an impairment of serotoninergic antinociceptive system may exist in this type of headache. A significant correlation between percentage increase in RIII reflex threshold and reduction of PTI was also observed after amitriptyline treatment, indicating that pain reflex may be used for predicting treatment response in migraine.
  Functional neurology 1(4):423-9. · 1.52 Impact Factor
• Article: A computerized record chart for the study of chronic daily headache.

  G C Manzoni, F Granella, G Sandrini, F Antonaci, C Zanferrari, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: A comprehensive record chart for the study of chronic daily headache (CDH) is presented. The record chart contains 11 parts (232 items) concerning: sociodemographic data, physiological history, female reproductive life history, family history, pathological history, drug abuse, headache history, headache clinical features, prophylactic therapy, instrumental investigations, and physical and neurological examination. Furthermore, three attached special charts are illustrated which concern, respectively, the cervical spine examination, oromandibular function examination and the assessment of analgesic use.
  Functional neurology 8(4):293-300. · 1.52 Impact Factor
• Article: Pharmacological treatment of migraine attack: a review of the literature.

  F Antonaci, E Pucci, S Lanfranchi, G Sandrini
  Romanian journal of neurology and psychiatry = Revue roumaine de neurologie et psychiatrie 32(1):9-20.
• Article: [Experimental EMG-anatomopathological study of rabbits treated with Cialit grafts for the repair of sciatic nerve loss of substance].

  M Zanlungo, A Moglia, I Pagani, G Sandrini, A Arrigo
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  ABSTRACT: The sciatic nerves of 10 rabbits of the New Zealand strain were cut and isolated in the latero-posterior region of the thigh under general anesthesia. Immediate homograft technique was used in animals. The maximal motor conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve was measured in all the animals before the cutting of the nerve. Long-term EMG and anatomo-pathological controls were carried out. The results obtained are discussed. Further research will be continued by applying new techniques and new EMG parameters as well as more sophisticated anatomo-pathological techniques.
  Archivio per le scienze mediche 138(1):37-8.
• Article: [Walking efficiency of blind people on trapezoidal and sinulsoidal section tactile leading indicators].

  A Ranavolo, C Conte, S Iavicoli, A Silvetti, M Serrao, G Sandrini, F Pierelli, F Draicchio
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  ABSTRACT: Gait of visually impaired subjects (VIS) is worse than that of sighted ones. VIS can use tactile ground surface indicators to optimize their walking efficiency. Aim of the study was to compare VIS walking efficiency on either trapezoidal and sinusoidal shape leading indicators. VIS walking on the sinusoidal leading indicators showed a worsening of the time-distance parameters (a longer stance phase, a shorter swing phase and shorter step and stride lengths), reduced lower limb joint excursions and increased center of mass oscillations. In conclusion sinusoidal tactile indicators induce a stiffening of joints and a loss of balance with an increased risk of fall.
  Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia 33(3 Suppl):214-6.
• Article: [Headache as "sentinel" symptom in personnel involved in the preparation and administration of antineoplastic drugs].

  E Pucci, F Matozzo, P Luppi, G Micoli, C Sottani, C Minoia, G Sandrini, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: The increased prevalence of neoplastic diseases observed over the last years has resulted for in more frequent operations of preparation and administration of antiblastic drugs performed by the medical personnel. In this study, we examined a group of subjects involved in the preparation of ACNU, Methotrexate, Novantrone, Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Carboplatinum, Mythoxantrone, in order to elucidate whether headache may represent an early symptom of exposure to these products. At the same time, we measured the degree of pollution in the air surrounding the vertical laminar flow aspiration cabinet used for drug preparation. The 66.6% of the 12 subjects studied, 9 females and 3 males, complained of headache. However, the environmental detection using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) gave negative results with respect to a possible environmental damage. These findings suggest that headache is the onset symptom of the toxic effect of antiblastic chemiotherapics in the medical personnel involved in drug preparation and administration.
  Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia 27(4):412-6.
• Article: [Prevalence of primary headache related to work activity in a group of hospital workers undergoing periodic visits (D. Lgs. 626/94 s.s.m. ed i.)].

  E Pucci, F Matozzo, A Arrigo, S Mazza, G Sandrini, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: Since headache is one of the most frequent complaints in clinical practice, its burden in terms of the both social cost and individual sufference is considerable. Headache is a frequent cause of absence from work and decreased productivity; it is therefore clear that investigating its possible relationship with working conditions represents a topic of increasing interest for the scientific community. This study was aimed at identifying specific occupational factors able to modify the prevalence of headache in a population of hospital workers undergoing periodic examinations. It was indeed suspected that the hospital environment could be per se a predisposing factor for headache onset, due to the considerable impact of stress on such working environment. The results obtained suggest that specific occupational conditions such as shift work and P.C. use may play an important role in headache development even in the presence of a wide number of professional risk factors.
  Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia 25(4):448-52.
• Article: A 3D kinematic method for evaluating voluntary movements of the cervical spine in humans.

  M V Bulgheroni, F Antonaci, S Ghirmai, G Sandrini, G Nappi, A Pedotti
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  ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of a 3D kinematic method of evaluating movements of the cervical spine. Range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine was evaluated in 8 control subjects during flexion-extension, rotation and lateral bending movements. The test was repeated on two separate occasions. The ROM test-retest difference ranged from 1.42 degrees for right axial rotation to 9.11 degrees for left axial rotation. The test showed good reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient which was higher than 0.74 in extension movement and excellent in flexion, axial rotation and lateral bending. In conclusion, the method proposed for the 3D kinematic analysis of neck movement proved to be useful and non-invasive and to show good-excellent reproducibility. Furthermore the method is easily applicable in clinical practice to evaluate neck function in cervical spine disorders.
  Functional neurology 13(3):239-45. · 1.52 Impact Factor
• Article: Trigeminal evoked potentials in man: a new olfactory stimulation device.

  P Lago, G Broich, A P Cecchini, G Sandrini, G Guizzetti, R Callieco, D Zambarbieri, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: The recording of olfactory evoked potentials in healthy humans, using a continuous flow olfactory stimulator, is described. A stimulator pushed inert gas (N2) in a continuous flow through the nose at a rate of 4 l/min. At fixed 30-second intervals, (32 times) the flow was replaced by an equal amount of CO2, a trigeminal stimulant. Each pulse lasted 200 ms. An electronic timing circuit triggered both the stimulator and the recorder. Signal acquisition was performed using an Evoked Potential Recorder (Nicolet Compact Four by Nicolet Biomedical Instruments), triggered by the stimulator. Using this stimulator device reliable olfactory evoked potentials can be recorded in a clinical setting. Since this is a non invasive technique which can be used to test olfactory function whether or not the patient cooperates, it is expected to become widely used, particularly in non collaborating patients and in those suspected of malingering.
  Functional neurology 13(2):135-40. · 1.52 Impact Factor
• Article: Cognitive and neuroradiological findings in myotonic dystrophy.

  E Sinforiani, G Sandrini, A Martelli, M Mauri, C Uggetti, G Bono, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: Cognitive functions were investigated in 37 patients with myotonic dystrophy (MD) and correlated with clinical and neuroradiological variables. The whole cognitive performance was at a low-average level; in about 1/3 of the subjects, in fact, the scores at the neuropsychological tests were below the normal range. There was a consistent trend for patients with inheritance on maternal side to perform worse on Wechsler verbal score and to present cerebral atrophy. In 7 out of 12 subjects focal white matter lesions were found at nuclear magnetic resonance. The significance of these findings and its relation to cognitive performance are discussed.
  Functional neurology 6(4):377-84. · 1.52 Impact Factor
• Article: 30 years of pain treatment in Italy: past, present and future

  M. Allegri, C. Tinelli, G. Sandrini, C. Bonezzi
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  ABSTRACT: Chronic pain is a situation that bring patients to ask for a medical intervention and can be originated from many different pathologic conditions. Nowadays, recent advancements in pain treatment have made possible to control pain in many patients, allowing them to return to daily activities. Anaesthesiologists are the modern pain specialists, and must know and define the origin of pain in every case: the comprehension of pain mechanisms gives them the possibility for a planned strategy of treatment.In this work we perform a overview about the “state of the art” of pain treatment in Italy analyzing what are the problems that require to focalize our attention.Therefore, sometimes many visits are necessary for a correct diagnosis and successful therapy. Pain management is still a young speciality, and the Italian pain specialist is often a self made expert who needs proper structures and dedicated people: the result is a different treatment not only between the hospitals but also in the same pain conditions.Although it seems that many of the new techniques used to control pain are successful, few studies and controlled trials have been done to verify long-term efficacy and potential adverse effects.
  European Journal of Pain Supplements.
• Article: Eye movement abnormalities in myotonic dstrophy

  M Versino, A Romani, R Bergamaschi, R Callieco, S Scolari, R Poli, S Lanfranchi, G Sandrini, V Cosi
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  ABSTRACT: We studied saccade and smooth pursuit eye movements in 31 patients suffering from myotonic dstrophy (MD). On the basis of mean value comparisons, saccades were slower and hypometric and smooth pursuit eye movements performed worse in MD patients than in controls. On an individual basis, saccade duration was prolonged in 67.7%, saccades were hypometric in 19.4%, saccade latency was delayed in 9.7%, and the smooth pursuit performance index was decreased in 9.7% of patients. Eye movement abnormalities did not correlate with those detectable by visual, brain-stem auditory and somatosensory evoked potentials. We attempted to classify eye movement abnormalities as myogenic or neurogenic on the basis of differences in combination of eye movement abnormalities and the occurrence of D5/D35 dissociation; the latter consists of a prolonged duration for large (35°) but not for small (5°) saccades. Since D5/D35 dissociation occurred in 26/33 multiple sclerosis patients with increased saccade duration, we considered it to be a neurogenic pattern attributable to a central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. A prolonged duration without dissociation especially in combination with saccade hypometria, is interpreted as a myogenic pattern, although the lack of dissociation may also occur with CNS impairment in case of a marked increase in saccade duration. Accordingly we classified the oculomotor abnormalities detected as neurogenic in 11 MD patients and as myogenic in another 10, but in some subjects belonging to the second group concomitant CNS impairment is not to be excluded.
  Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology/Electromyography and Motor Control.
• Article: A record card for the study of Neuronal Hyperexcitability Syndrome.

  S Cristina, G Sandrini, L Ruiz, A P Verri, M Musicco, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: Neuronal Hyperexcitability Syndrome (NHS) is a nosographic picture which is difficult to diagnose, due to the lack of specific standard diagnostic criteria. With slightly varying symptoms the syndrome has also been defined as Spasmophilia and Hyperventilation Syndrome. It is difficult to distinguish between NHS and panic attack disorder as there is considerable overlapping of symptomatology. We aimed to propose a standardized card which will be the first step toward a valid diagnosis of this complex neuropsychiatric problem. This card, which will be validated and of which the reliability will be evaluated, is proposed for clinical and research purposes. The card is made up of 6 parts (113 items) covering: personal data, pharmacological treatment, persistent diseases and related therapies, symptomatology trend, factors interfering with calcium-magnesium homeostasis and symptom assessment. The symptom assessment section is essential for the checking of diagnostic criteria and the earlier sections are important for the monitoring of other factors which can cause symptoms able to simulate NHS. There are also two special sections for recording laboratory tests and patients' psychic profiles.
  Functional neurology 11(1):53-8. · 1.52 Impact Factor
• Article: Bilateral sympathetic skin response following nociceptive stimulation: study in healthy individuals.

  A Danilov, G Sandrini, F Antonaci, M Capararo, E Alfonsi, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: Bilateral sympathetic skin response (SSR) was evaluated in 25 normal subjects aged (29 +/- 5 years). The stimulation (an electrical pulse train randomly applied to the sural nerve) was equal to 0.5-1.0-1.5 times the nociceptive flexion reflex (RIII) thresholds. This method allowed us to quantify the pain threshold, since a close relationship between the RIII threshold and subjective pain threshold has been described. Decrease in latency, increase in amplitude and duration were observed when increasing intensity of stimulation was used. The right-side stimulation produced significantly shorter latencies and higher amplitudes than the left one. The asymmetry index showed a trend of larger responses on the left hand and shorter latencies on the right hand in males. Females displayed less left-right asymmetry than males. A positive correlation was recognized between RIII threshold and amplitude and duration of SSR. Test-retest evaluation in 12 individuals revealed good reproducibility of SSR in terms of latency and duration, while amplitudes showed large variability. The accuracy of SSR response concerning latency and duration was better (range 0.88-0.92) when 1.5 RIII threshold was used, showing that painful stimulation should be used to obtain reliable SSR in clinical practice.
  Functional neurology 9(3):141-51. · 1.52 Impact Factor
• Article: Electrophysiological study of long thoracic nerve conduction in normal subjects.

  E Alfonsi, A Moglia, G Sandrini, M R Pisoni, A Arrigo
  Electromyography and clinical neurophysiology 26(1):63-7.
• Article: Electronic pupillometry for investigating pupil reactivity to different exteroceptive stimuli: applications and limits.

  G Micieli, M Magri, G Sandrini, C Tassorelli, L Montalbetti, V Covelli, G Nappi
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  ABSTRACT: Iris neuromuscular junction represents a site of reciprocal interactions of sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation and can be considered a useful tool to investigate both systems in physiological and pathological conditions. In this study 35 healthy subjects of different ages were examined by an infrared TV pupillometer to assess darkness and light adaptation, as well as pupillary response to light and to exteroceptive stimulation (RIII reflex). A progressive impairment of pupil adaptability to light stimuli with aging was also observed, while a significant correlation was found between the intensity of electrical stimulation of the sural nerve and the percent increase in pupil diameter. The evaluation of pupil responsiveness is considered for its possible applications in various neurological disorders.
  Functional neurology 2(4):529-38. · 1.52 Impact Factor
• Article: Electrophysiological study on jaw-opening reflex recorded from digastric muscle in Parkinson's disease and primary cranial dystonias.

  E Alfonsi, C Pacchetti, A Lozza, R Conti, E Martignoni, P Bruggi, G Sandrini, A Arrigo, A Moglia
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  ABSTRACT: We investigated digastric reflex excitability in normals and in patients with extrapyramidal disorders such as primary cranial dystonias and Parkinson's disease. Relationships between exteroceptive suppression of masseter muscle and digastric reflex were also investigated in some cases. Digastric reflex hyperexcitability was observed in dystonic patients when compared to normals and parkinsonian patients. Furthermore, some patients with cranial dystonia presented absence of exteroceptive suppression reflex in masseter muscle with enlarged digastric response. These results indicate hyperexcitability of the digastric reflex and abnormal agonist-antagonist muscle co-contraction in chewing reflexes of patients with cranial dystonias. This shows that digastric reflex is an important electrophysiological investigation to explore the physiopathological mechanisms of primary cranial dystonias.
  Functional neurology 7(6):451-8. · 1.52 Impact Factor