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Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles01:29

Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles

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The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open....
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Skeletal muscle relaxants can target the central nervous system [CNS] to reduce muscle tension or act directly at the neuromuscular junction to induce temporary paralysis. These two classes of muscle relaxants are called centrally acting muscle relaxants and peripherally acting muscle relaxants. They differ in their action, mechanism, administration route, and clinical uses.
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Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:31

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx...
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Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
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Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:24

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Centrally acting muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and tension by interfering with the postsynaptic reflexes in the central nervous system.
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Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin01:26

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Directly acting muscle relaxants like dantrolene and botulinum toxin (BoNT) have distinct mechanisms and applications. Dantrolene, a hydantoin derivative, acts on the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in skeletal muscle cells. RYR1 are calcium channels present at the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In response to excitation, they release calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Calcium promotes actin-myosin-mediated contraction of muscles.
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Mechanical Control of Relaxation Using Intact Cardiac Trabeculae
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Brain Activity Underlying Muscle Relaxation.

Kouki Kato1,2, Tobias Vogt3, Kazuyuki Kanosue2

  • 1Physical Education Center, Nanzan University, Nagoya, Japan.

Frontiers in Physiology
|December 19, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Muscle relaxation is an active brain process, not passive. Neuroimaging reveals specific cortical activity and inhibition patterns during relaxation, crucial for movement control and impaired in disorders.

Keywords:
coordinationelectroencephalogramelectromyograminhibitionmotor-evoked potential

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Fine motor control necessitates precise muscle contraction and relaxation.
  • Movement disorders like Parkinson's disease and dystonia often involve impaired muscle relaxation.
  • Emerging evidence suggests muscle relaxation is an active, cortically driven process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the neural mechanisms underlying muscle relaxation.
  • To explore the role of cortical activity in active muscle relaxation.
  • To investigate the impact of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) research on understanding muscle relaxation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies.
  • Analysis of research utilizing single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
  • Examination of paired-pulse TMS studies investigating intracortical inhibition.

Main Results:

  • Single-pulse TMS shows suppressed corticospinal tract excitability during muscle relaxation compared to rest.
  • Paired-pulse TMS indicates activation of intracortical inhibition preceding muscle relaxation.
  • Relaxation in one body part can suppress cortical activity in other limbs, suggesting inhibitory spread.

Conclusions:

  • Muscle relaxation is an active cortical process, not merely the cessation of contraction.
  • Cortical activity triggers relaxation and can inhibit other muscles, impacting complex movements.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is vital for addressing movement disorders and difficulties in specific populations.