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Head extensor reflex evoked by trigeminal stimulation in humans.

M Leandri1, A Gottlieb, G Cruccu

  • 1Interuniversity Centre for Pain Neurophysiology and Department of Oncology, Biology and Genetics at the University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 35, 16146, Genova, Italy. cind@unige.it

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|October 12, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Researchers identified a crossed early reflex in human head extensor muscles following trigeminal nerve stimulation, similar to a known cat reflex. This finding suggests a fast, oligosynaptic pathway requiring strong central summation.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology
  • Reflex Studies

Background:

  • Trigeminal nerve stimulation is known to evoke responses in human cervical muscles.
  • A crossed, short-latency excitatory reflex in head extensors, observed in cats, has not been previously documented in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the existence of a crossed, short-latency excitatory reflex in human head extensor muscles.
  • To characterize this reflex in response to trigeminal nerve stimulation.

Main Methods:

  • 14 healthy volunteers participated in the study.
  • Percutaneous and surface electrical stimulation of the supraorbital and infraorbital nerves were used.
  • Electromyographic signals were recorded from bilateral splenius and sternomastoid muscles.

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Main Results:

  • A crossed early reflex (HR1) was observed in the contralateral splenius muscle with latencies of 11-14 ms following infraorbital nerve stimulation.
  • This early response was enhanced by double or repetitive stimuli.
  • Later responses (HR2, HR3) were observed in all tested muscles, and surface stimulation alone was less effective in eliciting early activity.

Conclusions:

  • A crossed early reflex in head extensor muscles, elicited by trigeminal stimuli, was identified in humans.
  • The reflex's latency is comparable to that observed in cats, suggesting a similar neural pathway.
  • Evidence points towards an oligosynaptic circuit and the necessity of strong spatial summation for this reflex.