Jansen P H, Joosten E M, Vingerhoets H M
Institute of Neurology, St. Radboud Hospital, Catholic University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Eur Arch Psychiatry Neurol Sci. 1990;239(5):337-42. doi: 10.1007/BF01735062.
Historically relevant hypotheses on the pathophysiology of muscle cramp are reviewed. Psychosomatic, static, vascular, myogenic and neural theories are highlighted from a clinician's point of view. Modern neurophysiological research leaves little doubt that true muscle cramp is caused by explosive hyperactivity of motor nerves. Several mechanisms may be involved including spinal disinhibition, abnormal excitability of motor nerve terminals and spreading of muscle contraction by ephaptic transmission or axon reflexes.
本文回顾了与肌肉痉挛病理生理学相关的历史假说。从临床医生的角度重点介绍了身心、静态、血管、肌源性和神经理论。现代神经生理学研究毫无疑问地表明，真正的肌肉痉挛是由运动神经的爆发性活动亢进引起的。可能涉及多种机制，包括脊髓去抑制、运动神经末梢异常兴奋性以及通过ephaptic传递或轴突反射传播肌肉收缩。
