Stimulation of the MLR inhibits the discharge of dorsal horn neurons responsive to muscular contraction.
We found that electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) inhibited the discharge of deep dorsal horn neurons receiving group III afferent input from the triceps surae muscles. In contrast, contraction of these muscles induced by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve activated these dorsal horn neurons. Our findings show that descending central motor commands can inhibit dorsal horn interneurons receiving input from group III afferents during exercise.
Degtyarenko
A M
AM
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Departments of Internal Medicine and Human Physiology, TB 172, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Kaufman
M P
MP
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000502:physiology*