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Interaction of tonic labyrinth and neck reflexes in man

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Abstract

Interaction of tonic labyrinth and neck reflexes was studied in 3 healthy volunteers by analyzing changes in Soleus H-Reflex (SHR) area in relation to both lateral tiltings and neck rotations. By using a Kermath chair each subject was tilted laterally from the vertical to the left and to the right up 15° in steps of 5° and at the same time the longitudinal body axis, keeping the head fixed, was rotated to the right and to the left up to 15° in steps of 5°. All combinations of lateral tiltings and neck rotations were tested. Each test position was followed by a return to 0° for both rotation and tilting (control position). Twelve H-reflexes of right soleus muscle were recorded in each test and control position and the changes in RSHR area were expressed as percentage variations from the mean value absorved in the pretest and post-test control position. Out data indicate that in man, as in animals, labyrinth and neck reflexes act in the opposite direction, and that in the static condition their contribution to postural stabilization is equal.

Sommario

Al fine di studiare nell'uomo le interazioni reciproche dei riflessi tonici labirintici e tonici del collo abbiamo analizzato le variazioni dell'area del riflesso H del muscolo soleo indotte da diverse combinazioni di rotazione del collo ed inclinazioni laterali dell'asse corporeo su 3 soggetti volontari sani. Dalla posizione verticale venivano inclinati lateralmente verso destra e verso sinistra di 5° in 5° fino ad un massimo di 15° e contemporaneamente veniva ruotato l'asse corporeo, tenendo il capo fisso, di 5° in 5° fino ad un massimo di 15°. In ciascun soggetto venivano studiate tutte le possibili combinazioni di inclinazioni e rotazioni. Ogni posizione test veniva fatta seguire da una posizione di controllo a 0° (capo in posizione primaria ed asse corporeo verticale). In ciascuna posizione test e di controllo venivano registrati 12 riflessi H e di ciascuno si misurava l'area. I valori ottenuti nelle diverse posizioni test venivano espressi come percentuale della media dei valori osservati nella corrispondente posizione di controllo precedente e successiva. I risultati così ottenuti indicano che nell'uomo, come nell'animale, i riflessi tonici labirintici e tonici del collo agiscono esercitando sul tono estensorio dell'arto inferiore azioni opposte e di entità sovrapponibile.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica Neurologica, Università degli Studi di Sassari, V.le San Pietro n. 10, 07100, Sassari

    Aiello I., Rosati G., Sau G. F., Lentinu M. E., Tidore B. S., Sotgiu S., Cacciotto R., Posadinu D., Muzzu S., Manca I., Mura G. & Traccis S.

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  1. Aiello I.
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  2. Rosati G.
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  3. Sau G. F.
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  4. Lentinu M. E.
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  5. Tidore B. S.
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  6. Sotgiu S.
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  7. Cacciotto R.
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  8. Posadinu D.
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  9. Muzzu S.
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  10. Manca I.
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  11. Mura G.
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  12. Traccis S.
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Aiello, I., Rosati, G., Sau, G.F. et al. Interaction of tonic labyrinth and neck reflexes in man. Ital J Neuro Sci 13, 195–201 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224389

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224389

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