News Release

Though rare, victims of lightning strike may suffer

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Academy of Neurology

DENVER, CO – As if being struck by lightning wasn’t hard enough on a person, in rare cases, ongoing complications of the nervous system result in involuntary movement disorders. Among lightning-strike victims, researchers have discovered involuntary movement symptoms including uncontrollable blinking and forcible closure of eyelids, tic-like movements resembling Tourette’s syndrome, guttural vocalizations, hand tremors, and spasms of major muscle groups.

Through a study presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, researchers from the Lightning Data Center of St. Anthony Hospital, Denver, are raising awareness of this uncommon, but debilitating neurological complication among lightning-strike patients. “Involuntary movement disorders – IMDs -- are more commonly found in patients who’ve experienced a generated electrical trauma, such as contact with a ‘live’ ungrounded wire,” commented study author Michael Cherington, MD, “Yet we have found four patients who had these symptoms after being struck by lightning.”

The explanations for IMD after lightning strikes vary from a direct causal relationship to a precipitating factor, or IMD symptoms may even be coincidental to the lightning strike event. Further study will help elucidate the role of lightning strike in IMD, and also identify potential treatment options.

###

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 18,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit its web site at www.aan.com.

EDITORS NOTE: Dr. Cherington will present the research at the American Academy of Neurology's 54th Annual Meeting in Denver, Colo., during a poster presentation on Tuesday, April 16, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. in Exhibit Hall C at the Colorado Convention Center. He will be available to answer media questions during a media briefing on Monday, April 15, 2002 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the AAN Media Room, Lobby C, Room 208 of the Colorado Convention Center.

For more information contact:
Kathy Stone, 651-695-2763, kstone@aan.com
April 13-20, 303-228-8450
Cheryl Alementi, 651-695-2737, calementi@aan.com


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.