Abstract
F responses recorded from flexor and extensor muscles were analysed in 18 normal subjects and in 16 patients with motor system abnormalities. The prominence of the F responses was evaluated quantitatively by determining the persistence--that is, the fraction of measurable F responses which actually occur after a series of supramaximal stimuli--and average amplitude of the F responses. In the normal resting state, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that the "central excitatory states" of motoneurones is greater in the antigravity muscles than in those muscles not stretched by gravity. This pattern was disrupted in eight of the 16 patients with motor system abnormalities caused by central nervous system lesions. These changes reflect a clinically testable aspect of the pathophysiology of certain motor system disorders.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Bathien N., Rondot P. Reciprocal continuous inhibition in rigidity of Parkinsonism. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1977 Jan;40(1):20–24. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.40.1.20. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Deschuytere J., Rosselle N., De Keyser C. Monosynaptic reflexes in the superficial forearm flexors in man and their clinical significance. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1976 Jun;39(6):555–565. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.39.6.555. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Garcia-Mullin R., Mayer R. F. H reflexes in acute and chronic hemiplegia. Brain. 1972;95(3):559–572. doi: 10.1093/brain/95.3.559. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- KUGELBERG E., EKLUND K., GRIMBY L. An electromyographic study of the nociceptive reflexes of the lower limb. Mechanism of the plantar responses. Brain. 1960 Sep;83:394–410. doi: 10.1093/brain/83.3.394. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- LUNDBERG A., VOORHOEVE P. Effects from the pyramidal tract on spinal reflex arcs. Acta Physiol Scand. 1962 Nov-Dec;56:201–219. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1962.tb02498.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Landau W. M. Editorial: Spasticity: the fable of a neurological demon and the emperor's new therapy. Arch Neurol. 1974 Oct;31(4):217–219. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1974.00490400031001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- MAGLADERY J. W., McDOUGAL D. B., Jr Electrophysiological studies of nerve and reflex activity in normal man. I. Identification of certain reflexes in the electromyogram and the conduction velocity of peripheral nerve fibers. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1950 May;86(5):265–290. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- MEYERS R. The extrapyramidal system: an inquiry into the validity of the concept. Neurology. 1953 Sep;3(9):627–655. doi: 10.1212/wnl.3.9.627. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mayer R. F., Feldman R. G. Observations on the nature of the F wave in man. Neurology. 1967 Feb;17(2):147–156. doi: 10.1212/wnl.17.2.147. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- McLeod J. G., Wray S. H. An experimental study of the F wave in the baboon. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1966 Jun;29(3):196–200. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.29.3.196. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sherrington C. S. Flexion-reflex of the limb, crossed extension-reflex, and reflex stepping and standing. J Physiol. 1910 Apr 26;40(1-2):28–121. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1910.sp001362. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- TEASDALL R. D., PARK A. M., LANGUTH H. W., MAGLADERY J. W. Electrophysiological studies of reflex activity in patients with lesions of the nervous system. II. Disclosure of normally suppressed monosynaptic reflex discharge of spinal motoneurones by lesions of lower brain-stem and spinal cord. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1952 Oct;91(4):245–256. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Thorne J. Central responses to electrical activation of the peripheral nerves supplying the intrinsic hand muscles. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1965 Dec;28(6):482–495. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.28.6.482. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]