Are Human Digit Muscles Devoid of Recurrent Inhibition?

Maria Piotrkiewicz,Dariusz Młoźniak

doi:10.3389/fncel.2015.00507

Abstract

Are Human Digit Muscles Devoid of Recurrent Inhibition?

Highlights

Engineering of Nervous and Muscular System, Nałecz Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
Several studies have examined the distribution of Recurrent inhibition (RI) in motoneuron (MN) pools supplying various cat and human muscles
More evidence for short-latency inhibition in abductor digiti minimi and first dorsal interosseus was presented recently during 7th International MN Meeting in Paris (Piotrkiewicz et al, 2010). The interpretation of this inhibition as the evidence for RI was met with strong disbelief. In view of these conflicting opinions, the question arose whether the short-latency inhibition observed in human digit muscles could be evoked by Renshaw cells, or is there any alternative explanation

Summary

Introduction

In view of these conflicting opinions, the question arose whether the short-latency inhibition observed in human digit muscles could be evoked by Renshaw cells, or is there any alternative explanation. In experiments conducted by Kudina and Andreeva (Piotrkiewicz et al, 2010) the stimuli were delivered to the ulnar nerve during weak muscle contractions, evoking activity of a few single MUs. The stimulus intensity was kept slightly above threshold of the M-response.

Results

Conclusion