Facilitatory interaction between cutaneous afferents from low threshold mechanoreceptors and nociceptors in segmental reflex pathways to alpha-motoneurons.
EPSPs evoked by air puff stimulation of the hairy skin of the hindlimb or by low strength stimulation of the lateral sural nerve were facilitated by radiant heat of 50-53 degrees C but not by radiant heat of 42-43 degrees C. The results indicate that afferents from low threshold mechanoreceptors and from nociceptors of the skin converge onto common interneurons in reflex pathways to alpha-motoneurons. This would allow a functionally useful cooperation of these two types of afferents in spinal motor control.
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000294:innervation; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology