Abstract
Here, we compared motor evoked potentials (MEP) in response to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex and the H-reflex during voluntary and vibration-induced air-stepping movements in humans. Both the MEPs (in mm biceps femoris, rectus femoris and tibialis anterior) and H-reflex (in m soleus) were significantly smaller during vibration-induced cyclic leg movements at matched amplitudes of angular motion and muscle activity. These findings highlight differences between voluntary and non-voluntary activation of the spinal pattern generator circuitry in humans, presumably due to an extra facilitatory effect of voluntary control/triggering of stepping on spinal motoneurons and interneurons. The results support the idea of active engagement of supraspinal motor areas in developing central pattern generator-modulating therapies.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 64-69 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Neuroscience Letters |
Volume | 579 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 5 2014 |
Keywords
- Air-stepping
- Central pattern generator
- H-reflex
- Humans
- Motor cortex
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
- Medicine(all)