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Related Experiment Videos

Acoustic facilitation of the Hoffmann reflex.

A P Rudell, L P Eberle

    Experimental Neurology
    |September 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    A pure tone sound can increase the amplitude of the Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex), a measure of spinal cord excitability. This auditory facilitation effect was observed regardless of whether participants responded to the tone or not.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Auditory Neuroscience
    • Motor Control

    Background:

    • The Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) is a well-established measure of spinal cord excitability.
    • Auditory stimuli are known to influence motor responses, but the direct facilitative effect on spinal excitability is less understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the direct facilitative effect of a pure tone auditory stimulus on the amplitude of the Hoffmann reflex.
    • To determine if voluntary motor responses modulate the auditory facilitation of spinal excitability.

    Main Methods:

    • 11 healthy subjects participated.
    • A 1000-Hz pure tone was presented 100 ms before the electrical stimulus evoking the H-reflex.
    • Four conditions were tested: no response, voluntary finger abduction, voluntary leg plantarflexion, and voluntary leg plantarflexion in response to the tone.

    Main Results:

    • The H-reflex amplitude was significantly larger during trials with auditory stimulus compared to silent trials.
    • This facilitative effect was consistent across all tested conditions, including no response, finger abduction, and leg plantarflexion.
    • Habituation of the auditory effect was observed with repeated tone presentations.

    Conclusions:

    • Pure tone auditory stimuli can directly facilitate spinal excitability, as measured by the H-reflex.
    • This auditory-induced facilitation of spinal reflexes is independent of voluntary motor tasks.
    • The findings suggest a direct pathway for auditory input to modulate spinal cord activity.

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