An intact peripheral nerve preparation for monitoring inputs from single muscle afferent fibres

A preparation is described that permits the monitoring of activity from individual muscle afferent nerve fibres in an intact peripheral nerve in the forelimb of the cat. The nerve is a fine branch of the deep radial that supplies the indicis proprius muscle. When it is freed from nearby tissue over a length of 2-5 cm and placed in continuity over a silver hook electrode, it becomes possible to identify and monitor the impulse activity from each muscle afferent fibre activated by stretch or vibration applied to the muscle tendon or by focal mechanical stimulation of the muscle at the presumed site of individual spindle receptors. With this preparation it is possible to examine the central actions and security of transmission at central synaptic targets for single, identified muscle afferent fibres arising in the cat's forearm.