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Periodontal anaesthetisation decreases rhythmic synchrony between masseteric motor units at the frequency of jaw tremor

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Abstract

This study links the reduction in jaw physiological tremor around 8 Hz following periodontal mechanoreceptor (PMR) anaesthetisation to changes in coherence between masseteric motor unit discharges. We have recorded single motor unit activity from two separate sites in the right masseter muscle during a low level tonic contraction, both prior to and during anaesthetisation of the peri-incisal PMRs. Anaesthetisation of PMRs decreased coherent activity between motor units circa 8 Hz, and decreased synchrony between the same motor unit pairs. It is proposed that tremor-generating inputs that cause rhythmic synchronisation of masseteric motor units arise from, or are amplified by the PMRs.

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Acknowledgments

This laboratory is funded by the NH&MRC of Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre for Human Movement Control, Discipline of Physiology, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Paul F. Sowman, Kirstin M. Ogston & Kemal S. Türker

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  1. Paul F. Sowman
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  2. Kirstin M. Ogston
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  3. Kemal S. Türker
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Correspondence to Kemal S. Türker.

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Sowman, P.F., Ogston, K.M. & Türker, K.S. Periodontal anaesthetisation decreases rhythmic synchrony between masseteric motor units at the frequency of jaw tremor. Exp Brain Res 179, 673–682 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-006-0824-9

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