Measurement & Analysis of the Temporal Discrimination Threshold Applied to Cervical Dystonia

Beck R*1, McGovern E*1,2,3, Butler JS4, Birsanu D1, Quinlivan B1, Beiser I1,2,3, Narasiham S1, O’Riordan S2,3, Hutchinson M2,3, Reilly RB 1,5
 

J. Vis. Exp. (131), e56310, doi:10.3791/56310 (2018)

 

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1 School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Ireland.
2 Department of Neurology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
3 School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
4 School of Mathematical Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland.
5 School of Medicine Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
* These authors contributed equally.

ABSTRACT:

 

The temporal discrimination threshold (TDT) is the shortest time interval at which an observer can discriminate two sequential stimuli as being asynchronous (typically 30-50 ms). It has been shown to be abnormal (prolonged) in neurological disorders, including cervical dystonia, a phenotype of adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia. The TDT is a quantitative measure of the ability to perceive rapid changes in the environment and is considered indicative of the behavior of the visual neurons in the superior colliculus, a key node in covert attentional orienting. This article sets out methods for measuring the TDT (including two hardware options and two modes of stimuli presentation). We also explore two approaches of data analysis and TDT calculation. The application of the assessment of temporal discrimination to the understanding of the pathogenesis of cervical dystonia and adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia is also discussed.

 

 

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Copyright: © 2018