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Related Concept Videos

Somatic Spinal Reflexes01:22

Somatic Spinal Reflexes

Somatic spinal reflexes are rapid, involuntary muscular responses to external stimuli that involve the somatic musculature and the spinal cord.
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...
Reflex Activity01:08

Reflex Activity

A reflex activity is an automatic, involuntary response to specific stimuli. It is a part of our survival mechanism, designed to protect us from potential harm. For example, when a bright light suddenly shines into our eyes, we instinctively close them or look away. This is a simple reflex activity orchestrated by the nervous system without conscious thought or effort.
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll01:11

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...

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Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
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Stretch reflex spatial threshold measure discriminates between spasticity and rigidity.

Aditi A Mullick1, Nadine K Musampa, Anatol G Feldman

  • 1School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Canada.

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|November 14, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Spatial threshold (ST) characteristics can differentiate stroke-induced spasticity and parkinsonism-induced rigidity. These muscle tone disorders exhibit distinct responses to stretch velocity, aiding neurological deficit discrimination.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Neurological Rehabilitation

Background:

  • Muscle spasticity after stroke arises from restricted regulation of the tonic reflex spatial threshold (ST).
  • Understanding the ST's role is crucial for differentiating various motor control deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if spatial threshold (ST) measures can distinguish between spasticity (stroke) and rigidity (parkinsonism).

Main Methods:

  • Elbow muscles of healthy, stroke, and parkinsonism subjects were stretched at varying velocities.
  • Dynamic ST and its velocity sensitivity were measured.
  • Tonic ST was determined by extrapolating dynamic ST values to zero velocity.

Main Results:

  • Both spasticity and rigidity showed a reduced range of central regulation for tonic STs compared to healthy individuals.
  • Spastic muscles exhibited hypersensitivity of ST to stretch velocity.
  • Rigid muscles displayed hypo- or inverse sensitivity of ST to stretch velocity.

Conclusions:

  • Spatial threshold (ST) characteristics effectively discriminate between different neurological deficits affecting muscle tone.
  • Findings suggest spasticity and rigidity stem from impaired descending facilitatory control and altered fusimotor/presynaptic control of Ia inputs.