The effects of baclofen on gamma motoneurones supplying gastrocnemius muscle in the rabbit.
The effect of baclofen on gamma motoneurones supplying gastrocnemius medialis muscle in the rabbit has been investigated. Baclofen was found to decrease the frequency of firing of tonic gamma motoneurones, and in some cells to inhibit the tonic discharge altogether. Baclofen also increased the regularity of tonic gamma motoneurone discharge. The drug was found to raise the threshold for firing of gamma motoneurones in response to electrical stimulation of the sural nerve, indicating a depression of reflex transmission between the sural nerve and the motoneurones. The results are discussed and brief consideration given to the possible consequences of these results for the action of the drug in human spasticity.
D000818:Animals; D000842:Ankle / Q000294:innervation; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D009047:Motor Neurons, Gamma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology; D009470:Muscle Spindles / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation*; D011817:Rabbits; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects
D001418:Baclofen