Inhibition of human motoneurons, probably of Renshaw origin, elicited by an orthodromic motor discharge. 1977

B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny

1. The pattern of variations of a test H-reflex after a conditioning H-reflex was investigated in human subjects by an experimental design in which both reflexes involved the same soleus motoneurones. This was made possible by using a method based upon a collision in the motor axons between the orthodromic conditioning reflex volley and the antidromic volley elicited by a test stimulus supramaximal for the motor axons.2. The variations of the test reflex amplitude seen when increasing the conditioning reflex discharge were studied. This was made possible by facilitating the conditioning reflex without changing the strength of the afferent volley. This facilitation was obtained through a soleus stretch elicited by a stimulation of the plantar nerves.3. The amplitude of the test reflex depended only on the size of the conditioning reflex discharge.4. As long as the conditioning reflex was of low amplitude, all the motoneurones responsible for the conditioning response could be activated by the test volley, even though these motoneurones were undergoing after-hyperpolarization. This indicates that, in man, the after-hyperpolarization of the most excitable motoneurones can be completely overcome by a large Ia afferent volley.5. Increasing the conditioning reflex beyond a specific value resulted in an absolute decrease in the number of motoneurones involved in the test reflex. The amount of this decrease was related only to the amplitude of the conditioning reflex.6. This inhibition decreased progressively as the time interval separating the test stimulus from the conditioning stimulus increased. The time course of this inhibition was studied with conditioning reflexes of different amplitudes. The duration of the inhibition increased with the size of the conditioning reflex.7. These results strongly suggest that Renshaw cells excited by the conditioning reflex are responsible for this inhibition. The results are in agreement with observations made in animals on recurrent inhibition.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007395 Interneurons Most generally any NEURONS which are not motor or sensory. Interneurons may also refer to neurons whose AXONS remain within a particular brain region in contrast to projection neurons, which have axons projecting to other brain regions. Intercalated Neurons,Intercalated Neuron,Interneuron,Neuron, Intercalated,Neurons, Intercalated
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
D009475 Neurons, Afferent Neurons which conduct NERVE IMPULSES to the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. Afferent Neurons,Afferent Neuron,Neuron, Afferent
D012023 Reflex, Monosynaptic A reflex in which the AFFERENT NEURONS synapse directly on the EFFERENT NEURONS, without any INTERCALATED NEURONS. (Lockard, Desk Reference for Neuroscience, 2nd ed.) Monosynaptic Reflex
D006181 H-Reflex A monosynaptic reflex elicited by stimulating a nerve, particularly the tibial nerve, with an electric shock. H Reflex,H-Reflexes,H Reflexes,Reflex, H
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001369 Axons Nerve fibers that are capable of rapidly conducting impulses away from the neuron cell body. Axon
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor

Related Publications

B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny
January 1971, Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology,
B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny
January 1972, Journal of neurophysiology,
B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny
April 1988, Neuroscience letters,
B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny
January 1984, Human physiology,
B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny
April 2019, The Journal of physiology,
B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny
September 2004, Journal of neurophysiology,
B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny
January 1979, Progress in brain research,
B Bussel, and E Pierrot-Deseilligny
January 1984, Fiziologiia cheloveka,
Copied contents to your clipboard!