Biomaterial Database

Reflex effects of muscle afferents on antagonist studied on single firing motor units in man. 1980

L P Kudina

The effects of electrical stimulation of mixed nerves and of the evoked tendon reflex on single firing MUs of antagonists were investigated. The following muscles were studied: m. biceps fem., m. tibialis ant. and m. triceps surae. Under a weak voluntary contraction MU potentials were picked up. Post-stimulus histograms of MU potentials were plotted and the duration of interspike intervals in the post-stimulus period was compared with that in the prestimulus period. Under electrical stimulation of the nerve (Ia afferents) a distinct reciprocal inhibition was observed on MUs of all the 3 investigated muscles. In some cases a weak excitatory drive could be revealed along with the reciprocal inhibition. The tendon (knee) reflex was accompanied by a distinct excitatory effect on MUs of the antagonist. The dependence between the efficiency of the inhibitory volley and the moment within an interspike interval at which the volley arrived was found. The lengthening of an interval was observed only when an inhibitory drive occurred close to its end. The peculiarities of reciprocal inhibition in the firing motoneurone, as well as the possible mechanism of the excitatory effect on the antagonist accompanying the tendon reflex, are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009132	Muscles	Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals.	Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D009475	Neurons, Afferent	Neurons which conduct NERVE IMPULSES to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Afferent Neurons,Afferent Neuron,Neuron, Afferent
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.
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
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man