Upper limb H reflexes and somatosensory evoked potentials modulated by movement.

Full Abstract

In the human lower limb, the magnitudes of both Hoffmann (H) reflexes and primary somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) from scalp electrodes, are reduced by active and/or passive movement. We surmised that similar effects occur for the upper limb and specifically hypothesised that amplitudes of median nerve induced flexor carpii radialis H reflexes and cortical SEPs are reduced with passive movement about the wrist or elbow. The results showed (P<0. 05) that either movement significantly attenuated mean magnitudes of SEPs elicited from stimulation at elbow or wrist and that reflex magnitudes attenuated with wrist movement. Thus, the upper limb shows similar movement-induced modulation to the lower limb. These attenuations of fast conducting sensory paths consequent to movement per se, may be a basic level of motor control, initiated from muscle mechanoreceptor discharge. Upon this basic level, more complex modulations then may be laid as appropriate for the particular characteristics of active motor tasks.

Author information

Author/s: Brooke, J D (JD); Peritore, G (G); Staines, W R (WR); McIlroy, W E (WE); Nelson, A (A);

Affiliation: Human Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Guelph, Canada. j-brooke(-atsign-)uoguelph.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology (J Electromyogr Kinesiol), published in ENGLAND. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2000-Jun; vol 10 (issue 3) : pp 211-5

Dates: Created 2000/07/12; Completed 2000/07/12; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 10818342, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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