Cortical projection of putative group Ib afferent fibres from the human forearm

The possibility was investigated that impulses in group Ib afferents from fore-arm flexors have access to cerebral cortex in man. A long-lasting increase in the threshold (Th) of group Ia afferent fibres from flexor carpi radialis muscle (Fcr) was obtained after prolonged (100 Hz for 20 min) tendon vibration at the wrist. It was assumed that under this condition a weak electrical stimulation of the median nerve at the elbow, insufficient to reactivate Ia fibres because of the rise in their threshold (as verified by the method of homonymous Ia facilitation of Fcr H reflex), engaged Ib fibres only. Peripheral volleys at Erb's point and cerebral cortical potentials to median nerve stimulation at the elbow were evoked before and after prolonged vibration of Fcr. During 10-30 min after the end of vibration, in which homonymous facilitation of Fcr H reflex was abolished, both the ongoing peripheral volley and the cortical responses were markedly reduced with respect to their control values. Recovery to pre-vibration control amplitudes coincided with recovery of Fcr H reflex homonymous facilitation. In order to verify if activity in afferents other than group Ib fibres might contribute to the cortical response after vibration, specially designed experiments were also performed. It is concluded that the cortical wave recorded after 20 min vibration represents the arrival of Ib impulses from flexor carpi radialis to the human cerebral cortex.