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The alpha-motoneuron pool as transmitter of rhythmicities in cortical motor drive.

Authors :
Stegeman DF
van de Ven WJ
van Elswijk GA
Oostenveld R
Kleine BU
Source :
Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology [Clin Neurophysiol] 2010 Oct; Vol. 121 (10), pp. 1633-42.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

Objective: Investigate the effectiveness and frequency dependence of central drive transmission via the alpha-motoneuron pool to the muscle.<br />Methods: We describe a model for the simulation of alpha-motoneuron firing and the EMG signal as response to central drive input. The transfer in the frequency domain is investigated. Coherence between stochastical central input and EMG is also evaluated.<br />Results: The transmission of central rhythmicities to the EMG signal relates to the spectral content of the latter. Coherence between central input to the alpha-motoneuron pool and the EMG signal is significant whereby the coupling strength hardly depends on the frequency in a range from 1 to 100 Hz. Common central input to pairs of alpha-motoneurons strongly increases the coherence levels. The often-used rectification of the EMG signal introduces a clear frequency dependence.<br />Conclusions: Oscillatory phenomena are strongly transmitted via the alpha-motoneuron pool. The motoneuron firing frequencies do play a role in the transmission gain, but do not influence the coherence levels. Rectification of the EMG signal enhances the transmission gain, but lowers coherence and introduces a strong frequency dependency. We think that it should be avoided.<br />Significance: Our findings show that rhythmicities are translated into alpha-motoneuron activity without strong non-linearities.<br /> (Copyright 2010 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1872-8952
Volume :
121
Issue :
10
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
20434397
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2010.03.052