Dynamic behaviour of alpha-motoneurons subjected to recurrent inhibition and reflex feedback via muscle spindles. 1992

U Windhorst, and T Kokkoroyiannis
Zentrum Physiologie und Pathophysiologie, Universität Göttingen, F.R.G.

The dynamic transfer characteristics of mammalian spinal skeleto-motoneurons are determined by intrinsic properties and various sorts of feedback. Here, recurrent inhibition via Renshaw cells and reflex feedback via muscle units and muscle spindle (in particular Ia) afferents, in the cat, are considered. The dynamic properties of the motor axon-Renshaw cell and the motor unit-spindle afferent subsystems were experimentally determined by stimulating motor axons with pseudo-random patterns of electrical pulses at two mean rates (low: 9.5-13 pulses/s; high: 20-23 pulses/s) and recording discharges of the two output elements. Spectral analysis yielded frequency responses to which transfer functions were fitted. These transfer functions in conjunction with those previously derived for alpha-motoneurons were used to study the stability and input-output characteristics of motoneurons with regard to two issues: stability and input-output relations of the combined (recurrent plus reflex) system as compared with each subsystem alone, with (i) each feedback path consisting of a single loop at some moderate level of force production, and (ii) each pathway consisting of two loops related to two motoneuron subpopulations active at a higher level of recruitment. It is shown that Renshaw cells have frequency characteristics well suited to contribute to the stabilization of the reflex loop. They can do so at low gains of recurrent inhibition.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008433 Mathematics The deductive study of shape, quantity, and dependence. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Mathematic
D008959 Models, Neurological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the neurological system, processes or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Neurologic Models,Model, Neurological,Neurologic Model,Neurological Model,Neurological Models,Model, Neurologic,Models, Neurologic
D009046 Motor Neurons Neurons which activate MUSCLE CELLS. Neurons, Motor,Alpha Motorneurons,Motoneurons,Motor Neurons, Alpha,Neurons, Alpha Motor,Alpha Motor Neuron,Alpha Motor Neurons,Alpha Motorneuron,Motoneuron,Motor Neuron,Motor Neuron, Alpha,Motorneuron, Alpha,Motorneurons, Alpha,Neuron, Alpha Motor,Neuron, Motor
D009132 Muscles Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals. Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D012018 Reflex An involuntary movement or exercise of function in a part, excited in response to a stimulus applied to the periphery and transmitted to the brain or spinal cord.
D005246 Feedback A mechanism of communication within a system in that the input signal generates an output response which returns to influence the continued activity or productivity of that system. Feedbacks
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013569 Synapses Specialized junctions at which a neuron communicates with a target cell. At classical synapses, a neuron's presynaptic terminal releases a chemical transmitter stored in synaptic vesicles which diffuses across a narrow synaptic cleft and activates receptors on the postsynaptic membrane of the target cell. The target may be a dendrite, cell body, or axon of another neuron, or a specialized region of a muscle or secretory cell. Neurons may also communicate via direct electrical coupling with ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES. Several other non-synaptic chemical or electric signal transmitting processes occur via extracellular mediated interactions. Synapse

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