The possible mechanisms of the high pressure-induced motor disturbances in the cat.
High pressures elicit a high-frequency tremor (8-12 c/sec) in mammals, the mechanisms of which are still unknown. The present study shows that: (1) in spite of many similarities observed between the EMG characteristics of harmaline-induced tremor and pressure-induced tremor, cerebellar lesions which suppress the harmaline-induced tremor, do not modify the characteristics of the pressure-induced tremor; (2) at depth, the caudal part of the spinal cat (section at T9-T10 spinal level) displays irregular spontaneous EMG activities which can be clonic or rhythmic (4-8 c/sec), and a neuromuscular stretch hyperreflexivity. These data suggest that the origin of the pressure-induced tremor is spinal and neuromuscular rather than cerebellar.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006246:Harmaline; D008297:Male; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture; D011312:Pressure; D012026:Reflex, Stretch; D014202:Tremor / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D006246:Harmaline