Memory traces in spinal cord produced by H-reflex conditioning: effects of post-tetanic potentiation.
Operant conditioning of the wholly spinal, largely monosynaptic triceps surae H-reflex in monkeys causes changes in lumbosacral spinal cord that persist after removal of supraspinal influence. We evaluated the interaction between post-tetanic potentiation and these memory traces. Animals in which the triceps surae H-reflex in one leg had been increased or decreased by conditioning were deeply anesthetized, and monosynaptic reflexes to L6-S1 dorsal root stimulation were recorded before and after tetanization from both legs for 3 days after thoracic cord transection. Animals remained anesthetized throughout and were sacrificed by overdose. Reflex asymmetries consistent with the effect of H-reflex conditioning were present after transection and persisted through the 3 days of study. Tetanization affected conditioned leg and control leg reflexes similarly. This finding suggests that, while post-tetanic potentiation and probably H-reflex conditioning alter Ia synaptic transmission, the two phenomena have different mechanisms.
Wolpaw
J R
JR
Wadsworth Center for Laboratories and Research, New York State Department of Health, Albany 12201.
Carp
J S
JS
Lee
C L
CL
D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000502:physiology*; D007866:Leg; D008254:Macaca nemestrina; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*