Short-latency crossed inhibitory responses in extensor muscles during locomotion in the cat. 2008

Alain Frigon, and Serge Rossignol
Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

During locomotion, contacting an obstacle generates a coordinated response involving flexion of the stimulated leg and activation of extensors contralaterally to ensure adequate support and forward progression. Activation of motoneurons innervating contralateral muscles (i.e., crossed extensor reflex) has always been described as an excitation, but the present paper shows that excitatory responses during locomotion are almost always preceded by a short period of inhibition. Data from seven cats chronically implanted with bipolar electrodes to record electromyography (EMG) of several hindlimb muscles bilaterally were used. A stimulating cuff electrode placed around the left tibial and left superficial peroneal nerves at the level of the ankle in five and two cats, respectively, evoked cutaneous reflexes during locomotion. During locomotion, short-latency ( approximately 13 ms) inhibitory responses were frequently observed in extensors of the right leg (i.e., contralateral to the stimulation), such as gluteus medius and triceps surae muscles, which were followed by excitatory responses ( approximately 25 ms). Burst durations of the left sartorius (Srt), a hip flexor, and ankle extensors of the right leg increased concomitantly in the mid- to late-flexion phases of locomotion with nerve stimulation. Moreover, the onset and offset of Srt and ankle extensor bursts bilaterally were altered in specific phases of the step cycle. Short-latency crossed inhibition in ankle extensors appears to be an integral component of cutaneous reflex pathways in intact cats during locomotion, which could be important in synchronizing EMG bursts in muscles of both legs.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007839 Functional Laterality Behavioral manifestations of cerebral dominance in which there is preferential use and superior functioning of either the left or the right side, as in the preferred use of the right hand or right foot. Ambidexterity,Behavioral Laterality,Handedness,Laterality of Motor Control,Mirror Writing,Laterality, Behavioral,Laterality, Functional,Mirror Writings,Motor Control Laterality,Writing, Mirror,Writings, Mirror
D008124 Locomotion Movement or the ability to move from one place or another. It can refer to humans, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Locomotor Activity,Activities, Locomotor,Activity, Locomotor,Locomotor Activities
D008297 Male Males
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
D009433 Neural Inhibition The function of opposing or restraining the excitation of neurons or their target excitable cells. Inhibition, Neural
D010543 Peroneal Nerve The lateral of the two terminal branches of the sciatic nerve. The peroneal (or fibular) nerve provides motor and sensory innervation to parts of the leg and foot. Fibular Nerve,Fibular Nerves,Nerve, Fibular,Nerve, Peroneal,Nerves, Fibular,Nerves, Peroneal,Peroneal Nerves
D011930 Reaction Time The time from the onset of a stimulus until a response is observed. Response Latency,Response Speed,Response Time,Latency, Response,Reaction Times,Response Latencies,Response Times,Speed, Response,Speeds, Response
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D004576 Electromyography Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes. Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies

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