Skip to main content
Log in

Bilateral reciprocal organisation in man: focus on IA interneurone

  • Full Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Neural Transmission / General Section JNT Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The H reflex of flexor carpi radialis and radial-induced reciprocal inhibition were recorded in normal subjects during conditioning stimulation of the contralateral median or radial nerves. It was found that stimulation of the contralateral median nerve enhanced the degree of reciprocal inhibition exerted by the radial nerve on the median nerve, while contralateral radial nerve stimulation reduced the reciprocal inhibition exerted by the extensor on the flexor. In two subjects in which a pure extensor H reflex was recorded specular features were observed following contralateral median and radial stimulation. These findings are considered to be the electrophysiological manifestation of contralateral modulation of reciprocal inhibition, which is likely to act at the level of the IA interneurone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersson O, Forssberg H, Grillner S, Lindquist M (1978) Phasic gain control of the transmission in cutaneous reflex pathways to motoneurones during “fictive” locomotion. Brain Res 149: 503–507

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baldissera F, Cavallari P, Fournier E, Pierrot-Deseilligny E, Shindo M (1987) Evidence for mutual inhibition of opposite IA interneurones in the human upper limb. Exp Brain Res 66: 106–114

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baldissera F, Hultborn H, Illert M (1981) Integration in spinal neuronal systems. In: Brooks VB (ed) Handbook of physiology, sect I. The nervous system, vol II. Motor control. Am Physiol Soc, Bethesda MD, pp 509–595

    Google Scholar 

  • Bras H, Cavallari P, Jankowska E, Kubin L (1989) Morphology of midlumbar interneurones relaying information from group II muscles afferents in the cat spinal cord. J Comp Neurol 290: 1–15

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cavallari P, Fournier E, Katz R, Pierrot-Deseilligny E, Shindo M (1984) Changes in reciprocal IA inhibition from wrist extensors to wrist flexors during voluntary movement in man. Exp Brain Res 56: 574–576

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Day BL, Rothwell JC, Marsden CD (1983) Transmission in the spinal reciprocal IA inhibitory pathway preceding willed movements of the human wrist. Neurosci Lett 37: 245–250

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Day BL, Marsden CD, Obeso JA, Rothwell JC (1984) Reciprocal inhibition between the muscles of the human forearm. J Physiol 349: 519–534

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dietz V, Horstmann A, Berger W (1989) Interlimb coordination of leg muscles activation during perturbation of stance in humans. J Neurophysiol 62: 680–693

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duysens J, Pearson KG (1976) The role of cutaneous afferents from the distal hindlimb in the regulation of the step cycle of thalamic cats. Exp Brain Res 24: 245–255

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duysens J, Stein RB (1978) Reflexes induced by nerve stimulation in walking cats with implanted cuff electrodes. Exp Brain Res 32: 213–224

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eccles JC (1969) The inhibitory pathway of the central nervous system. Liverpool University Press, Liverpool

    Google Scholar 

  • Forssberg H (1979) Stumbling corrective reaction: a phase-dependent compensatory reaction during locomotion. J Neurophysiol 42: 936–953

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hultborn H (1976) Transmission in the pathway of reciprocal IA inhibition to motoneurones and its control during the tonic stretch reflex. In: Homma S (ed) Understanding the stretch reflex. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 235–255 (Prog Brain Res, vol 44)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hultborn H, Illert M, Santini M (1976 a) Convergence on interneurones mediating the reciprocal IA inhibition of motoneurones. I. Disynaptic IA inhibition of IA inhibitory interneurones. Acta Physiol Scand 90: 193–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Hultborn H, Illert M, Santini M (1976 b) Convergence on interneurones mediating the reciprocal IA inhibition of motoneurones. II. Effects from segmental flexor reflex pathways. Acta Physiol Scand 96: 351–367

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lundberg A (1970) The excitatory control of the IA inhibitory pathway. In: Anderson P, Jansen JKS (eds) Excitatory synaptic mechanisms. Universitetsforlaget, Oslo, pp 333–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabatino M, Pepin JL, La Grutta V, Delwaide PJ (1987) Reciprocal inhibition during arm movement in man. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 66: 125–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabatino M, Ferraro G, Caravaglios G, Sardo P, Delwaide PJ, La Grutta V (1992) Evidence of a contralateral motor influence on reciprocal inhibition in man. J Neural Transm [PD-Sect] 4: 257–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang FJ, Stein RB (1990) Phase-dependent reflex reversal in human leg muscles during walking. J Neurophysiol 63: 1109–1117

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sabatino, M., Sardo, P., Ferraro, G. et al. Bilateral reciprocal organisation in man: focus on IA interneurone. J. Neural Transmission 96, 31–39 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01277926

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01277926

Keywords

Navigation