Modulation of soleus H-reflex excitability following cervical transspinal conditioning stimulation in humans. (27th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Islam, Md. Anamul; Zaaya, Morad; Comiskey, Erin; Demetrio, Joseph; O'Keefe, Amanda; Palazzo, Nicole; Pulverenti, Timothy S.; Knikou, Maria
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 732(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07-27
• Subjects: H-reflex -- Neuromodulation -- Transspinal stimulation -- Arm–Leg neuronal interactions; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: Soleus H-reflexes are facilitated by cervical transspinal stimulation at above and not below motor threshold intensities. Soleus H-reflex facilitation by cervical transspinal stimulation require activity of propriospinal neurons. Facilitation of soleus H-reflex occurs at latencies consistent with long-loop reflex circuits. Abstract: The aim of this study was to establish the effects of transcutaneous spinal cord (transspinal) stimulation over the cervical region on soleus H-reflex excitability in healthy subjects while at rest. Reflex effects were established at subthreshold and suprathreshold cervical transspinal conditioning stimulation intensities of the extensor carpi radialis transspinal evoked potential. Twenty soleus H-reflexes at 0.125 Hz were recorded randomly under control conditions and following transspinal conditioning stimulation at conditioning-test intervals that ranged from 0 to 55 ms and tested in increment of 5 ms steps and at 100 ms. Cervical transspinal stimulation at suprathreshold and not at subthreshold intensities produced short, medium, and long-latency soleus H-reflex facilitation. The observed facilitatory reflex effects are consistent with activation of excitatory components of long propriospinal neurons. We propose the use of cervical transspinal stimulation to potentiate excitatory neuronal interactions between arms and legs in neurological disorders.