Investigating the acute effect of the calcium-channel blocker, nimodipine, on spinal reflex measures in humans
Healthy individuals and individuals with spasticity
Healthy volunteers are involved in a double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over study. All subjects receive either nimodipine (60mg) or baclofen (25mg) on the first experimental day. All subjects return on a different occasion (at least 24 hours after the first experimental day) to receive the other intervention. Individuals with spasticity are involved in the double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over study. All subjects receive either nimodipine (60mg) or a chalk tablet (placebo) on the first experimental day. All subjects return on a different occasion (at least 24 hours after the first experimental day) to receive the other intervention. An external medical doctor performs the double blinding and will reveal the blinding after all results have been analysed in MatLab.
1. Age 18 years old and over 2. Adults capable of providing informed consent for participation 3. Healthy volunteers will be recruited in the first part of the project 4. In the second part of the project, individuals with symptoms of muscle overactivity (spasticity/spasms/cramps/dystonia) due to CNS damage are recruited
1. Hypotension (systolic blood pressure <100mmHg) 2. Known impaired liver function, cerebral edema, or significantly increased intracranial pressure 3. Antispastic medication that cannot be paused, or recent botox injections