PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Reflex, Monosynaptic”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The effects of postsynaptic inhibition on the monosynaptic reflex of the cat at different levels of motoneuron pool activity.

The motoneurons to the Soleus muscle in the decerebrate cat were activated by the crossed extensor reflex, elicited by stimulation of the contralateral common peroneal (CP) nerve. Monosynaptic reflexes were obtained from the Soleus motoneuron pool by stimulation of the cut L7-S1 dorsal roots. The amplitude of the reflex increased approximately linearly with the recruitment level of the motoneuron pool. Tonic postsynaptic inhibition was induced in the Soleus motoneuron pool by repetitive antidromic stimulation of the Lateral Gastrocnemius (LG) and Medial Gastrocnemius (MG) nerves at a rate of 17-47 stimuli/s. This reduced the size of the monosynaptic reflex at rest by at least 40%. However, when the motoneurons were active, the amplitude of the monosynaptic reflex obtained during repetitive stimulation of the LG-MG nerve increased with the recruitment level along the same curve as the control reflexes. Thus, tonic postsynaptic inhibition of the motoneurons per se cannot control the amplitude of the monosynaptic reflex independently of the recruitment level of the motoneuron pool. These experimental results verify predictions from computer simulations and suggest by exclusion that presynaptic inhibition is needed to control the amplitude of the monosynaptic reflex independently of the recruitment level of the motor pool.

Action Potentials↗

Serotonin involvement in the blockade of bulbospinal inhibition of the spinal monosynaptic reflex.

Bulbospinal inhibition of the extensor quadriceps monosynaptic reflex (MSR) was antagonized by the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, 75 mg/kg), in unanesthetized, mid-collicular, decerebrate cats. Fluoxetine HCl (Lilly 110140, 0.25 - 6 mg/kg), a specific serotonin neuronal uptake blocker, also blocked this inhibition as well as bulbospinal inhibition of the flexor posterior biceps-semi-tendinosus MSR. The serotonin antagonist, cyproheptadine HCl (5 mg/kg), partially reversed the above blocking actions of 5-HTP and fluoxetine and enhanced bulbospinal inhibition when administered alone in doses of 2.5-5 mg/kg. Imipramine HCl (0.125 - 4 mg/kg) was more potent in antagonizing bulbospinal inhibition of the dorsal root-ventral root MSR when administered intra-arterially to the spinal cord than when injected intra-arterially to the brain stem or intravenously, indicating that the spinal cord is the site of imipramine's action. These results support our earlier proposal that a 5-HT system antagonizes bulbospinal inhibition of the MSR. They also indicate that the 5-HT system is tonically active and exerts its blocking action in the spinal cord.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

Tonic inhibitory influence of a supraspinal monoaminergic system on recurrent inhibition of an extensor monosynaptic reflex.

Recurrent inhibition of the extensor (quadriceps) monosynaptic reflex (MSR) was antagonized by a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, 75 mg/kg), and a specific 5-HT neuronal uptake blocker, fluoxetine-HC1 (Lilly 110140, 0.25-6 mg/kg), in unanaesthetized decerebrate cats. This inhibition of the flexor (posterior biceps-semitendinosus) MSR was not altered by fluoxetine. Cyproheptadine-HC1 (5 mg/kg) partially reversed the above blocking actions of 5-HTP and fluoxetine and a thoracic "cold block", which eliminates supraspinal inputs to the caudal spinal cord, also eliminated the blockade by fluoxetine on recurrent inhibition. Cyproheptadine (2.5-5 mg/kg) or phenoxybenzamine-HC1 (2.5-5 mg/kg), administered alone, enhanced recurrent inhibition of the extensor but not of the flexor MSR. Since a "cold block" increased recurrent inhibition of the extensor reflex in control animals but failed to alter the inhibition in animals pretreated with either DL-p-chlorophenylalanine (300 mg/kg i.p. for 2 consecutive days) or DL-a-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester-HC1 (125 mg/kg i.p. 16 and 4 h prior to experiment), the monoaminergic system would appear to be tonically active. In addition the neuronal uptake blocker, imipramine-HC1 (0.125-4 mg/kg), was more potent in antagonizing recurrent inhibition when injected intra-arterially to the spinal cord than when administered intra-arterially to the brain stem or intravenously, indicating that this agent acts in the spinal cord to block the inhibition. These results support our previous proposal (ref. 18) that a supraspinal system involving 5-HT and noradrenaline antagonizes recurrent inhibition of the quadriceps MSR. This monoaminergic system is tonically active with the 5-HT nerve terminals located in the spinal cord.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

Temporal fluctuation in excitability of spinal motoneurons and its influence on monosynaptic reflex response.

OBSERVATIONS ON TEMPORAL VARIATION IN MONOSYNAPTIC REFLEX RESPONSE IN THE ACUTELY DECAPITATE CAT INDICATE THE FOLLOWING: 1. Frequency distribution of response amplitude has a nearly normal form often with some degree of negative skewness. Response variation differs only moderately in form and magnitude from one preparation to another. 2. Temporal variation remains essentially constant at different levels of drive above that level required to complete the zone of variation. 3. The role of response variation in the determination of mean response amplitude is considered. 4. One of the major sources of excitability fluctuation in the "resting" cord is variation in background activity of interneurons.

Motor Neurons↗

Posttetanic changes in the afferent and efferent activity of monosynaptic reflex in kittens.

Both the afferent volleys from the dorsal root and the monosynaptic reflex discharges from the corresponding ventral root were recorded with hook electrodes during stimulation of the nerves innervating the triceps surae muscles. The effects of conditioning high frequency tetanus on the magnitudes of these afferents and reflex volleys were examined in kittens of postnatal age 1-90 days and in adult cats. In young kittens under barbiturate anaesthesia, large-amplitude monosynaptic reflex discharge can be evoked without prior conditioning. The amplitude of this reflex discharge decreased with increasing age of the animal. Application of conditioning tetanic stimuli to the muscle nerves resulted in posttetanic depression followed by posttetanic potentiation of the monosynaptic reflex. The magnitude of posttetanic depression was much higher than that of potentiation in the first postnatal week. As the age increased, the magnitude of depression decreased while the magnitude of potentiation increased. The afferent volley showed a considerable posttetanic potentiation in older kittens and cats. No significant potentiation or depression was observed in the younger animals. Possible mechanisms contributing to posttetanic depression and potentiation are discussed.

Afferent Pathways↗

Development of the monosynaptic reflex pathway in the human spinal cord.

Development of the monosynaptic reflex pathway of the spinal cord was investigated in 96 neurologically normal infants with ages ranging from 25 weeks in postconceptional age (PCA) to 24 months after full-term delivery (PDA) by examining H-reflexes from the triceps surae and hypothenar muscles in terms of their incidence, latency and maximal size in reference to the maximal M-wave. The triceps H-reflex was evoked in all cases, and the latency was longest (26 ms) in the youngest case of 25 weeks (PCA). It gradually shortened until full-term gestation, reaching the shortest value of 17 ms (mean). The H-reflex size initially increased until full-term gestation, reaching the maximum value of 70% and then reducing gradually to the plateau level of about 30% at 12 months (PDA). The hypothenar H-reflex could not be elicited until 32 weeks (PCA). The time course of changes in its latency and size was similar to those of the triceps H-reflex, except that it could not be elicited after 12 months (PDA). Thus, the monosynaptic reflex pathway is already functioning at the age of 25 weeks (PCA) in man. The significance of the systematic change in latency and excitability of the H-reflex with age is discussed.

Aging↗

Effect of methamphetamine on rat spinal cord. Dopamine receptor-mediated depression of monosynaptic reflex.

The experiments were performed on spinal rats transected at Cl. Intravenous administration of methamphetamine-HCl (MA-HCl, 2 mg/kg) and apomorphine-HCl (5 mg/kg) reduced the amplitude of the monosynaptic reflex (MSR), while the polysynaptic reflex was increased by methamphetamine. Depression of the monosynaptic reflex by both drugs was antagonized by haloperidol, but not by phentolamine. Depression of the monosynaptic reflex by methamphetamine was not antagonized by pretreatment with reserpine; however, the result was explained by the assumption that methamphetamine releases newly-synthesized dopamine or that methamphetamine may act directly on dopamine receptors. Depression of the monosynaptic reflex induced by methamphetamine was independent of peripheral changes in blood pressure. Oxygen tension in the spinal cord was slightly reduced by methamphetamine in rats treated with phentolamine and a change of pO2 in the spinal cord was ruled out as a possible mechanism of action. These results suggest that dopaminergic neurons in the spinal cord of the rat depress the transmission of monosynaptic spinal reflexes.

Animals↗

Analogs of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in potentiating the spinal monosynaptic reflex in vitro.

The efficacy of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and its analogs to potentiate the spinal monosynaptic reflex was studied in isolated cords. The analogs examined were L-pyro-2-aminoadipyl-histidyl-thizolidine-4-carboxyamide (MK-771); pyroglutamyl-histidyl-prolineamide (TRH); pyroglutamyl-L-histidyl-3,3'-dimethyl-prolineamide (RX77368); (3-methyl-His2)TRH(methyl-TRH); gamma-buturolactone-gamma-carbonyl-histidyl-prolineamide citrate (DN-1417); pyroglutamyl-histidyl-proline (TRH-free acid); and histidyl-proline-diketopiperazine (cyclo(His-Pro)). The TRH analogs potentiated the monosynaptic reflex in a dose-dependent manner and the maximal potentiation occurred at about 1 microM. TRH-free acid potentiated the monosynaptic reflex but the maximal potentiation occurred at 100 times the TRH concentration. Cyclo(His-Pro) was totally ineffective. The concentration required to potentiate the monosynaptic reflex by 50% of the maximal response (EC50) was taken as an index for comparing various analogs in relation to TRH. The EC50 values of the analogs did not differ significantly from each other. However, the ratio of the mean value of an analog to that of TRH was of the following order: MK-771 (N- and C-terminally altered) > or = TRH > or = DN-1417 (N-terminal) > or = methyl-TRH > or = RX77368 (C-terminal) >>> TRH-free acid. Cyclo(His-Pro) was ineffective.

Animals↗

Jendrassik maneuver vs controlled contractions conditioning the excitability of soleus monosynaptic reflexes.

To analyze the factors that influence the conditioning of monosynaptic reflexes by the Jendrassik maneuver, the latter was replaced by a rapid, isolated, reproducible contraction of the wrist extensors; this procedure facilitated reflexes as effectively as the classical Jendrassik maneuver. The results were expressed quantitatively in relation to maximal motor response to allow comparisons to be made when different test reflexes were used. Identical selective contractions produced results that were reproducible in the same subject from one experiment to another. The facilitation depends on the time interval between the onset of the signal to contract and elicitation of the reflex. It develops in 3 distinct phases: the 1st, of moderate intensity, begins before electromyographic activity in the conditioning muscle; the 2nd, of much greater intensity, comes after the beginning of electromyographic activity, rapidly attains a maximum and then decreases progressively; the 3rd phase, of medium intensity, is stable until the end of the contraction. Facilitation also depends on the amplitude of the conditioned reflex and is most marked for one-half the maximum amplitude value and maximum tendon reflexes. The H-reflex is facilitated to the same extent as a tendon reflex of the same amplitude, but only during the 2nd phase. During the 3rd phase, facilitation of the H-reflex is no longer significant, but that of the tendon reflex is. Facilitation of alpha motoneurones may be assumed to explain the increases in amplitude during the 2nd phase but this mechanism alone cannot account for all the phenomena observed.

Adolescent↗

No involvement of 5-HT(7) or 5-HT(1D) receptors in the (R)-8-OH-DPAT-induced depression of the monosynaptic reflex in spinalized rats.

(R)-8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) depressed the monosynaptic reflex. This effect was not antagonized by 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonists. We examined whether 5-HT(1D) and 5-HT(7) receptors are involved in (R)-8-OH-DPAT-induced inhibition of the monosynaptic reflex in spinalized rats. Pretreatment with methiothepin and mesulergine, but not clozapine, inhibited (R)-8-OH-DPAT-induced monosynaptic reflex depression. Pretreatment with 2a-(4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridal)butyl)-2a,3,4,5-tetrahydrobenzo[c,d]indol-2(1H)-one (DR4004) and (R)-1-[(3-hydroxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-2-[2-(4-methyl-1-piperidinyl)ethyl]pyrolidine (SB-269970), new selective 5-HT(7) receptors antagonists, and N-[methoxy-3-(4-methyl-l-piperazinyl)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)[1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide (GR127935), a selective 5-HT(1D) receptor antagonist, had no effect on (R)-8-OH-DPAT-induced depression. These results suggested that 5-HT(7) and 5-HT(1D) receptors are not involved in (R)-8-OH-DPAT-induced monosynaptic reflex depression.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗

Topographic organization of monosynaptic reflexes in the cat spinal cord.

The topographic organization of monosynaptic reflexes in the cat spinal cord has been studied by comparing the amplitude of reflex discharges recorded from ventral roots consequent to stimulation of dorsal roots entering the cord at different spinal segments. The results indicate that up to 80% of the potentiated monosynaptic reflex discharge recorded from a ventral root can be attributed to afferent input entering the spinal cord at the same segmental level. Moreover, within the same segment, afferents with a more rostral cord entry level exert a stronger synaptic effect on the more rostral portion of the corresponding ventral root.

Afferent Pathways↗

Early and late post-tetanic potentiation, and post-tetanic block in a monosynaptic reflex pathway.

Observations have been made upon the nature of early and late post-tetanic potentiation and upon post-tetanic block of presynaptic collaterals with particular reference to behavior in circumstances of varied duration and frequency of conditioning stimulation. Early potentiation is most conspicuous following brief tetani at high frequency, late potentiation following long tetani, much lower frequencies being all that are needed. The two phenomena thus are distinguishable and separate. Dorsal root electrotonus produced by stimulations of varying duration and frequency is described, and the similarity between behavior of the D.R.IV R. electronic potential and early potentiation demonstrated. It is shown how early potentiation and post-tetanic block are due to the same process (hyperpolarization) at different intensities. The view that the agency for potentiation is associated with augmented presynaptic action due to hyperpolarization is confirmed. A diagram is constructed to indicate the probable temporal courses of early and late potentiation.

Ganglia, Spinal↗

Electrophysiological investigation of beta, beta'-iminodipropionitrile neurotoxicity: monosynaptic reflexes and recurrent inhibition.

beta-beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) neurotoxicity is morphologically characterized by the presence of giant axon swellings in the first proximal internodes of motor axons. The electrophysiological consequences of these proximal giant axon swellings on monosynaptic reflexes and recurrent inhibition were investigated along dorsal root-ventral root, medial gastrocnemius-ventral root and soleus-ventral root pathways of IDPN-intoxicated cats 35, 50 and 100 days following initial administration of the toxin (50 mg/kg/wk for 5 weeks). Monosynaptic reflex action potentials, normally relatively synchronous spike potentials, frequently appeared as doublet potentials which did not represent temporal fractionation of the spike potential. Latencies to the monosynaptic reflex action potentials were prolonged. Amplitudes of unconditioned monosynaptic reflex action potentials were significantly decreased at all time points, although there was a tendency for the amplitudes to recover with time. Post-tetanic potentiation was variously altered. Recurrent inhibition was reduced by 42-49% along monosynaptic reflex pathways. These results demonstrate that electrophysiological function in the spinal cord of IDPN-intoxicated cats is profoundly altered and the dysfunction partly results from the presence of the giant axon swellings.

Animals↗

Tonic inhibitory influence of a supraspinal monoaminergic system on presynaptic inhibition of an extensor monosynaptic reflex.

Presynaptic inhibition of the extensor (quadriceps, QUAD) monosynaptic reflex (MSR) in unanaesthetized decerebrate cats was antagonized by imipramine hydrochloride (2-5 mg/kg), 5-hydroxytryptophan (75 mg/kg) and a specific 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neuronal uptake blocker, fluoxetine hydrochloride (Lilly 110140, 0.25-6 mg/kg). These effects of imipramine and fluoxetine were partially reversed by the 5-HT antagonist, cyproheptadine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg), and completely reversed by the application of a thoracic cold block which prevents supraspinal inputs to the caudal spinal cord. Imipramine, however, failed to antagonize this inhibition in animals pretreated with either DL-p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA, 300 mg/kg i.p. for 2 consecutive days) or DL-a-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester hydrochloride (a-MPt, 125 mg/kg i.p. 16 and 4 h prior to the experiment). Cyproheptadine (2.5--5 mg/kg); phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride (2.5-5 mg/kg) and a cold block enhanced the inhibition of this extensor MSR but a cold block failed to alter the inhibition in animals pretreated with p-CPA or a-MPT. Presynaptic inhibition of the flexor (posterior biceps-semitendinosus, PBST) MSR was however not blocked by imipramine, fluoxetine or a cold block nor enhanced by cyproheptadine or phenoxybenzamine. The effects of the drugs tested and a cold block on the excitability of the QUAD group Ia afferents were reciprocal to those on the MSR during presynaptic inhibition. The results of this study indicate that descending tonically active systems (1) involving 5-HT and noradrenaline, antagonize presynaptic inhibition of the QUAD but not the PBST-MSR, (2) decrease the excitability of the QUAD Ia afferents and (3) increase the excitability of QUAD motoneurones.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

Effects of Peripheral monoamines on the monosynaptic reflex neuronal activity of acute spinal cats.

The monosynaptic reflex (MSR) neuronal activity of acute spinal cats was affected not only by monoamine levels in the central nervous system (CNS) but also by peripheral physiological changes, i.e. blood pressure and the temperature of the paraffin pool. Therefore, this report discusses the effects of peripheral monoamines, especially dopamine (DA) or norepinephrine (NE), on the MSR amplitude of acute spinal cats. The results were as follows: 1. Intravenous injections of DA or NE, which did probably not enter the CNS because of the blood-brain barrier, increased MSR neuronal activity. 2. These effects were blocked by the DA receptor antagonist, haloperidol, and the alpha-receptor antagonist, phenoxybenzamine, but not by the beta-receptor antagonist, propranolol. 3. This effect of NE was about 20-fold stronger that that of DA. 4. Larger doses of both amines caused increases in the blood pressure. These results suggested that most hypertensive drugs which cause increases in levels of NE influence the stimulation MSR neuronal activity.

Animals↗

Interaction of reversible and irreversible cholinesterase inhibitors on the monosynaptic reflex in neonatal rats.

The ability of physostigmine (PHY) and pyridostigmine (PYR) to protect against the segmental synaptic depression caused by sarin was examined in isolated spinal cords from neonatal rats. The monosynaptic reflex was unaffected at concentrations up to 0.1 microM PHY or 0.3 microM PYR but raising the concentrations of either drug produced a concentration-dependent depression of the monosynaptic reflex which could be completely antagonized by atropine. The monosynaptic reflex was depressed by 50% at 0.45 microM PHY and 2 microM PYR with maximal depression occurring at 1 microM PHY (to about 10% of control) and 10 microM PYR (to about 35% of control). Pretreating the cords with 0.1 microM PHY and PYR for 30 min failed to protect against the depressant effects of sarin even though they inhibited total cholinesterase (ChE) by 27 and 21%, respectively. Both PHY and PYR depressed total ChE activity of the spinal cord in a concentration-dependent manner with 50% inhibition of ChE occurring at 0.8 microM. These results suggest that the carbamates affect segmental transmission by activation of a muscarinic receptor, that protective carbamylation of ChE is ineffective against organophosphorus-induced segmental depression, and that inhibition of ChE is unrelated to both carbamate- and organophosphorus-induced depression of the monosynaptic reflex.

Animals↗