Lara Torgano

Prof. Lara Torgano

Università del Piemonte Orientale, Vercelli, Italy
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
19 August 2022 in Toxins
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMarco Battaglia
Marco Battaglia
MBMargherita Beatrice Borg
Margherita Beatrice Borg
Lara TorganoLara Torgano
Lara Torgano
ALAlberto Loro
Alberto Loro
LCLucia Cosenza
Lucia Cosenza
Alessio BaricichAlessio Baricich
Alessio Baricich
Botulinum Neurotoxin type-A (BoNT-A) is the treatment of choice for focal post-stroke spasticity (PSS). Due to its mechanism of action and the administration method, some authors raised concern about its possible systemic diffusion leading to contralateral muscle weakness and autonomic nervous system (ANS) alterations. Stroke itself is a cause of motor disability and ANS impairment; therefore, it is mandatory to prevent any source of additional loss of strength and adjunctive ANS disturbance. We enrolled 15 hemiparetic stroke survivors affected by PSS already addressed to BoNT-A treatment. Contralateral handgrip strength and ANS parameters, such as heart rate variability, impedance cardiography values, and respiratory sinus arrythmia, were measured 24 h before (T0) and 10 days after (T1) the ultrasound (US)-guided BoNT-A injection. At T1, neither strength loss nor modification of the basal ANS patterns were found. These findings support recent literature about the safety profile of BoNT-A, endorsing the importance of the US guide for a precise targeting and the sparing of “critical” structures as vessels and nerves.