Rest-induced suppression of anterior horn cell excitability as measured by F waves: Comparison between volitionally inactivated and control muscles

To test the hypothesis that the anterior horn cells become hypoexcitable in the absence of central drive, we recorded F waves simultaneously from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) before and after volitionally inactivating one muscle (target) while periodically...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Muscle & nerve 2008-03, Vol.37 (3), p.343-349
Main Authors: Taniguchi, Shoichi, Kimura, Jun, Yanagisawa, Toshiyuki, Okada, Fumiaki, Yamada, Thoru, Taniguchi, Shinichirou, Ootsuka, Takanobu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analysis of Variance
anterior horn cells
Anterior Horn Cells - physiology
Anterior Horn Cells - radiation effects
Biological and medical sciences
central drive
Electric Stimulation - methods
Electromyography
Evoked Potentials, Motor - physiology
Evoked Potentials, Motor - radiation effects
F wave
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Male
motor neuron excitability
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle Contraction - radiation effects
Muscle Relaxation
Muscle, Skeletal - cytology
Striated muscle. Tendons
Time Factors
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
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Summary:To test the hypothesis that the anterior horn cells become hypoexcitable in the absence of central drive, we recorded F waves simultaneously from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) before and after volitionally inactivating one muscle (target) while periodically contracting the other muscle (control). In 14 healthy subjects, F waves recorded from the target muscle showed a progressive decrease in persistence and amplitude (whether counting all 100 trials or only detectable responses) after muscle relaxation for 1, 3, and 6 hours, followed by a quick recovery upon brief muscle contraction. We conclude that volitional inactivation suppresses the F waves of the target muscle without equally affecting the control muscle innervated by the same nerve. The history of activity of a muscle should therefore be taken into account in clinical testing, especially when the study of a paretic muscle shows abnormal F‐wave excitability. Muscle Nerve, 2007
ISSN:0148-639X
1097-4598
DOI:10.1002/mus.20936