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Cortically induced masticatory rhythm and its modification by tonic peripheral inputs in immolbilized cats
The Bulletin of Tokyo Medical and Dental University
|June 1, 1976
Summary
Repetitive cortical stimulation generates rhythmic jaw movements in cats. Muscle spindle input fine-tunes this central rhythm, crucial for mastication.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Physiology
Background:
- Masticatory jaw movements involve complex neural circuits.
- The role of cortical and sensory inputs in generating rhythmic jaw movements requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the central generation of cortically induced rhythmical masticatory jaw movements.
- To determine the influence of tonic muscle spindle afferents on masticatory rhythm formation.
Main Methods:
- Repetitive cortical stimulation was applied to cats with spinal cord transection at the C2 level.
- Jaw depression and immobilization were used to assess sensory input modulation.
- Masseteric nerve activity was recorded to analyze rhythm generation.
Main Results:
- Cortical stimulation induced rhythmical jaw movement and masseteric nerve activity.
- Tonic jaw depression modulated irregular to regular jaw movements.
- Immobilization and cerebellectomy reduced but did not abolish the rhythm; tonic depression restored it.
Conclusions:
- Cortically induced masticatory rhythm is primarily generated centrally.
- Tonic inputs from jaw-closing muscle spindles are essential for rhythm formation and modulation.