RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Assessment of fusimotor contribution to reflex reinforcement in humans
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 1012
OP 1021
DO 10.1136/jnnp.37.9.1012
VO 37
IS 9
A1 Doris Burg
A1 Alfred J. Szumski
A1 Albrecht Struppler
A1 Francisco Velho
YR 1974
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/37/9/1012.abstract
AB The contribution of the fusimotor system to reflex reinforcement such as the Jendrassik manoeuvre was investigated by recording single unit activity with tungsten electrodes from muscle spindle afferent nerves in unanaesthetized normal human subjects. Muscle spindle afferent activity was recorded before, during, and after the reinforcement test. When the leg muscles remained relaxed during the Jendrassik manoeuvre, spindle activity recorded in the tibial nerve was accelerated. Also in the median nerve, activity from muscle spindle afferent fibres was increased during a remote contraction of the ipsilateral quadriceps muscle. Comparing the time course of the phasic reflex reinforcement and the muscle spindle facilitation during the remote contraction, a marked after-effect was recorded in both responses. Present results show an increased spontaneous muscle spindle activity in relaxed muscles during a remote muscle contraction, and provide evidence for the contribution of the fusimotor system to the enhancement of phasic reflexes by reinforcement manoeuvres.