Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Sympathetic Pathways: Sympathetic Chain Ganglia

Sympathetic Pathways: Sympathetic Chain Ganglia

The sympathetic chain ganglia, also known as the sympathetic trunk ganglia or paravertebral ganglia, are a series of ganglia located bilaterally on either side of the spinal column. These ganglia serve as relay stations for the sympathetic nervous system. Preganglionic neurons originating in the spinal cord project their axons to the sympathetic chain ganglia. Within the ganglia, these preganglionic fibers synapse with postganglionic neurons.The postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic trunk...

Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways

Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways

Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...

Major Somatic Sensory Pathways

Major Somatic Sensory Pathways

Sensory impulses related to touch, pressure, vibration, and proprioception from various body parts, such as the limbs, trunk, neck, and posterior head, travel to the cerebral cortex through the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. The pathway’s name derives from the two white-matter tracts that convey the impulses: the spinal cord's posterior column and the brainstem's medial lemniscus. First-order sensory neurons extend their axons into the spinal cord, forming the posterior columns...

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

The spinal cord is an integral hub for motor and sensory information that enables the brain to communicate with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This communication consists of relaying sensory data and transmission of motor commands.
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...

Sympathetic Pathways: Collateral Ganglia and Adrenal Medulla

Sympathetic Pathways: Collateral Ganglia and Adrenal Medulla

The sympathetic pathways of the collateral ganglia and adrenal medulla serve unique but interconnected roles in the sympathetic response.
Collateral Ganglia
Sympathetic preganglionic axons reach the collateral ganglia along the route of splanchnic nerves. These nerves bypass the sympathetic trunk and communicate with sympathetic postganglionic neurons housed in the prevertebral ganglia. These ganglia supply the organs of the abdominopelvic cavity.
The greater splanchnic nerve, formed by the...

Muscle Stimulation Frequency

Muscle Stimulation Frequency

The contraction strength of muscles is regulated by motor neurons, which modulate the frequency of action potentials dispatched to the motor units based on the body's requirements. This process of varying the muscle stimulation frequency allows muscles to contract with a force that is precisely tailored to the needs of the moment, whether lifting a feather or a heavy box.
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

The task of reviewing manuscripts for publication: A shared responsibility.

The journal of spinal cord medicine·2026

Same author

Effects of withdrawal and re-application of spinal cord stimulation to restore cough.

The journal of spinal cord medicine·2024

Same author

Impact of the cough stimulation system on the care burden and life quality of caregivers of tetraplegics.

The journal of spinal cord medicine·2023

Same author

Effects of restoration of cough via spinal cord stimulation on subject quality of life.

Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma·2022

Same author

Phrenic-to-intercostal reflex activity in response to high frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS).

Respiratory physiology & neurobiology·2022

Same author

Comparison of disc and wire electrodes to restore cough via lower thoracic spinal cord stimulation.

The journal of spinal cord medicine·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Studying the Coding Profiles of Somatic Stimulation on Cardiac-locked Neuronal Responses in the Rat Spinal Dorsal Horn

Studying the Coding Profiles of Somatic Stimulation on Cardiac-locked Neuronal Responses in the Rat Spinal Dorsal Horn

Published on: May 23, 2025

Spinal pathways mediating phrenic activation during high frequency spinal cord stimulation.

Anthony F Dimarco¹, Krzysztof E Kowalski

¹Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Case Western Reserve University and MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, United States. afd3@case.edu

Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology

|December 25, 2012

Summary

High frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) activates the diaphragm via thoracic spinal cord pathways. This study found HF-SCS phrenic motoneuron activation occurs through the lateral funiculus, not upper cervical interneurons.

More Related Videos

Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing

Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing

Published on: October 20, 2021

Assessing Rat Diaphragm Motor Unit Connectivity Outcome Measures as Quantitative Biomarkers of Phrenic Motor Neuron Degeneration and Compensation

Assessing Rat Diaphragm Motor Unit Connectivity Outcome Measures as Quantitative Biomarkers of Phrenic Motor Neuron Degeneration and Compensation

Published on: April 19, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Studying the Coding Profiles of Somatic Stimulation on Cardiac-locked Neuronal Responses in the Rat Spinal Dorsal Horn

Studying the Coding Profiles of Somatic Stimulation on Cardiac-locked Neuronal Responses in the Rat Spinal Dorsal Horn

Published on: May 23, 2025

Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing

Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing

Published on: October 20, 2021

Assessing Rat Diaphragm Motor Unit Connectivity Outcome Measures as Quantitative Biomarkers of Phrenic Motor Neuron Degeneration and Compensation

Assessing Rat Diaphragm Motor Unit Connectivity Outcome Measures as Quantitative Biomarkers of Phrenic Motor Neuron Degeneration and Compensation

Published on: April 19, 2024

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Respiratory Physiology
Spinal Cord Stimulation

Background:

High frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) activates inspiratory muscles.
The specific neural pathways responsible for HF-SCS-induced phrenic motoneuron activation remain unclear.
Investigating the role of upper cervical interneurons and thoracic spinal pathways is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine if upper cervical (C1-C4) pre-phrenic interneurons (UCI) are involved in HF-SCS.
To localize the spinal cord pathways mediating phrenic motoneuron activation during HF-SCS.
To elucidate the mechanisms of inspiratory muscle activation by HF-SCS.

Main Methods:

HF-SCS was applied at the T2 level in 7 anesthetized, spinalized dogs.
Diaphragm EMG, inspired volume, and airway pressure were monitored.
Sequential spinal cord sections at C4 and C8 (dorsal and lateral funiculi) were performed.

Main Results:

Spinal cord section at C4 did not significantly alter diaphragm activation.
Section of the dorsal columns at C8 also showed no significant effect.
Section of the lateral funiculi at C8 significantly reduced diaphragm EMG, inspired volume, and pressure generation.

Conclusions:

Phrenic motoneuron activation during upper thoracic HF-SCS is mediated by pathways within the lateral funiculus.
Upper cervical interneurons (UCI) are not involved in this HF-SCS response.
The lateral funiculus contains the critical pathways for HF-SCS-induced inspiratory muscle activation.