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Related Experiment Videos

Reflex changes in muscle spindle discharge during a voluntary contraction.

A M Aniss1, S C Gandevia, D Burke

  • 1Department of Neurology, Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Journal of Neurophysiology
|March 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

Low-threshold foot mechanoreceptors minimally impact fusimotor neurons during voluntary ankle contractions. However, these stimuli clearly affected alpha-motoneurons, indicating differential reflex control in human leg muscles.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Physiology
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Muscle spindle afferents provide sensory feedback crucial for motor control.
  • Fusimotor neurons modulate muscle spindle sensitivity.
  • Understanding reflex pathways is key to deciphering motor control mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate reflex influences of low-threshold foot mechanoreceptors on fusimotor neurons during voluntary ankle muscle contractions.
  • To compare these effects on fusimotor neurons with effects on alpha-motoneurons.

Main Methods:

  • Recorded from muscle spindle afferents in triceps surae and pretibial flexors during voluntary contractions.
  • Delivered electrical stimuli to sural and posterior tibial nerves at non-noxious levels.

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  • Assessed effects on muscle spindle discharge and alpha-motoneuron activity using EMG and single-unit recordings.

    • Main Results:

    • Electrical stimulation of foot nerves showed no significant effect on most muscle spindle afferents in pretibial flexors and triceps surae.
    • A small subset of triceps surae spindle endings exhibited minor increases or decreases in discharge.
    • Clear reflex effects were observed on the alpha-motoneuron pool for both muscle groups.

    Conclusions:

    • Reflex effects from low-threshold foot mechanoreceptors on fusimotor neurons are minimal during voluntary contractions.
    • Alpha-motoneurons are more readily influenced by these afferent inputs than fusimotor neurons.
    • This suggests differential reflex modulation of motor pathways controlling ankle muscles.