title: The time constants of motor and sensory peripheral nerve fibers measured with the method of latent addition.
abstract: The time constants of motor and sensory fibers in the human ulnar, median and tibial nerves were determined using the method of latent addition. Two square-wave stimuli were applied: the first one was subthreshold and the second, at various delays relative to the first, was adjusted to achieve threshold activation. Strength-delay curves were obtained, from which the time constant was determined using a mathematical model. Sensory fibers had time constants that were about 3 times the time constant for motor fibers. The strength-delay curves gave similar time constants as those obtained from strength-duration curves.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Fondazione Clinica del Lavoro, IRCCS, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panizza
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rothwell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors