Clinical Neurophysiology of Spinal Cord and Neuropharmacology

Abstract

Since many years, clinical neurophysiologists have made use of their methods to study neurotropic drugs. Until recently, the ambition was limited. The only aim was to objectify a drug effect and, if possible, to quantify it. At present, the problems are changing. On the one hand, new tests have been developed which explore a well defined neurophysiological mechanism. On the other, the neurotransmitters involved in the functioning of the spinal circuits are more and more identified, even in man. It is thus becoming possible to combine electrophysiological testing and pharmacology to study what mechanism(s) is(are) influenced by a given drug and how a new product interferes with neurotransmission in the human central nervous system. In this presentation, the goal is not to summarize information so far collected. A recent paper (1) reviews the main data in the field. The problems to be discussed will concern the requirements that must be fulfilled to make the association of clinical neurophysiology and neuropharmacology fruitful.