Motoneuron activation by low intensity tetanic stimulation of muscle afferents in man

doi:10.1016/0014-4886(67)90056-8

Experimental Neurology

Volume 18, Issue 4, August 1967, Pages 383-391

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Abstract

The tibial nerve was stimulated repetitively in normal man with electrical pulses of subliminal intensity for motor responses to single shocks. This stimulus elicited a sustained reflex activity in the soleus muscle. The activity was smoothly graded with the stimulus parameters. The latency was long and afterdischarge was regularly seen. The activity was inhibited by slight voluntary activation of the antagonistic muscles. Recordings from single motor units showed that the motoneurons did not fire with a regular time interval after the single stimulating pulses but there was a continuous discharge of about 10 impulse/sec. The results suggest that the structures and mechanisms involved in the tonic stretch reflex are essential for the motor activity described.

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Cited by (22)

Tonic contraction of calf muscles by non-tetanic stimulation of popliteal nerve in man
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Repetitive non-tetanic (0.1–1.5/sec) stimulation of the popliteal nerve in man evokes a reflex tonic contraction of the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle. The contraction is accompanied by asynchronous electrical activity of the muscle fibres and by changes in amplitude of the H reflex. An explanation of the phenomenon is suggested in terms of a long neuronal chain.
Il est montré que chez l'homme des stimulations électriques répétitives mais non tétanisantes (0,1 à 1,5/sec) du nerf poplité peuvent déterminer une contraction réflexe tonique du gastrocnémien-soléaire. Cette contraction est accompanée d'une activité électrique asynchrone et soutenue, ainsi que par des modifications d'amplitude du réflexe H. Il est possible que le phénomène soit dû à l'intervention de circuits neuronaux longs.
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Motoneuron activation by low intensity tetanic stimulation of muscle afferents in man

Abstract

Exptl. Neurol.

Brain Res.

Reflex activity of extensor motor units following muscular afferent excitation

J. Physiol. London

On the nature of postural reflexes

Motor effects of vibratory muscle stimuli in man

Electroencephalog. Clin. Neurophysiol.

Differential effects on tonic and phasic reflex mechanisms produced by vibration of muscles in man

J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat.