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Cuadra C, De Boef A, Luong S, Wolf SL, Nichols TR, Lyle MA. Reduced inhibition from quadriceps onto soleus after acute quadriceps fatigue suggests Golgi tendon organ contribution to heteronymous inhibition. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:4317-4331. [PMID: 38853295 PMCID: PMC11304518 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Heteronymous inhibition between lower limb muscles is primarily attributed to recurrent inhibitory circuits in humans but could also arise from Golgi tendon organs (GTOs). Distinguishing between recurrent inhibition and mechanical activation of GTOs is challenging because their heteronymous effects are both elicited by stimulation of nerves or a muscle above motor threshold. Here, the unique influence of mechanically activated GTOs was examined by comparing the magnitude of heteronymous inhibition from quadriceps (Q) muscle stimulation onto ongoing soleus electromyographic at five Q stimulation intensities (1.5-2.5× motor threshold) before and after an acute bout of stimulation-induced Q fatigue. Fatigue was used to decrease Q stimulation evoked force (i.e., decreased GTO activation) despite using the same pre-fatigue stimulation currents (i.e., same antidromic recurrent inhibition input). Thus, a decrease in heteronymous inhibition after Q fatigue and a linear relation between stimulation-evoked torque and inhibition both before and after fatigue would support mechanical activation of GTOs as a source of inhibition. A reduction in evoked torque but no change in inhibition would support recurrent inhibition. After fatigue, Q stimulation-evoked knee torque, heteronymous inhibition magnitude and inhibition duration were significantly decreased for all stimulation intensities. In addition, heteronymous inhibition magnitude was linearly related to twitch-evoked knee torque before and after fatigue. These findings support mechanical activation of GTOs as a source of heteronymous inhibition along with recurrent inhibition. The unique patterns of heteronymous inhibition before and after fatigue across participants suggest the relative contribution of GTOs, and recurrent inhibition may vary across persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Cuadra
- Division of Physical Therapy, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adam De Boef
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah Luong
- Division of Physical Therapy, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Steven L Wolf
- Division of Physical Therapy, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - T Richard Nichols
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mark A Lyle
- Division of Physical Therapy, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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2
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Cuadra C, Wolf SL, Lyle MA. Heteronymous feedback from quadriceps onto soleus in stroke survivors. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4540327. [PMID: 38978589 PMCID: PMC11230478 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4540327/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Background Recent findings suggest increased excitatory heteronymous feedback from quadriceps onto soleus may contribute to abnormal coactivation of knee and ankle extensors after stroke. However, there is lack of consensus on whether persons post-stroke exhibit altered heteronymous reflexes and, when present, the origin of increased excitation (i.e. increased excitation alone and/or decreased inhibition). This study examined heteronymous excitation and inhibition from quadriceps onto soleus in paretic, nonparetic, and age-matched control limbs to determine whether increased excitation was due to excitatory and/or reduced inhibitory reflex circuits. A secondary purpose was to examine whether heteronymous reflex magnitudes were related to clinical measures of lower limb recovery, walking-speed, and dynamic balance. Methods Heteronymous excitation and inhibition from quadriceps onto soleus were examined in fourteen persons post-stroke and fourteen age-matched unimpaired participants. Heteronymous feedback was elicited by femoral nerve and quadriceps muscle stimulation in separate trials while participants tonically activated soleus at 20% max. Fugl-Myer assessment of lower extremity, 10-meter walk test, and Mini-BESTest were assessed in stroke survivors. Results Heteronymous excitation and inhibition onsets, durations, and magnitudes were not different between paretic, nonparetic or age-matched unimpaired limbs. Quadriceps stimulation elicited excitation that was half the magnitude of femoral nerve stimulation. Femoral nerve elicited paretic limb heteronymous excitation was positively correlated with walking speed but did not reach significance because only a subset of paretic limbs exhibited excitation (n = 8, Spearman r = 0.69, P = 0.058). Conclusions Heteronymous feedback from quadriceps onto soleus assessed in a seated posture was not impaired in persons post-stroke. Despite being unable to identify whether reduced inhibition contributes to abnormal excitation reported in prior studies, our results indicate quadriceps stimulation may allow a better estimate of heteronymous inhibition in those that exhibit exaggerated excitation. Heteronymous excitation magnitude in the paretic limb was positively correlated with self-selected walking speed suggesting paretic limb excitation at the higher end of a normal range may facilitate walking ability after stroke. Future studies are needed to identify whether heteronymous feedback from Q onto SOL is altered after stroke in upright postures and during motor tasks as a necessary next step to identify mechanisms underlying motor impairment.
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Cuadra C, Wolf SL, Lyle MA. Differential effect of heteronymous feedback from femoral nerve and quadriceps muscle stimulation onto soleus H-reflex. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290078. [PMID: 37578948 PMCID: PMC10424854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Excitatory feedback from muscle spindles, and inhibitory feedback from Golgi tendon organs and recurrent inhibitory circuits are widely distributed within the spinal cord to modulate activity between human lower limb muscles. Heteronymous feedback is most commonly studied in humans by stimulating peripheral nerves, but the unique effect of non-spindle heteronymous feedback is difficult to determine due to the lower threshold of excitatory spindle axons. A few studies suggest stimulation of the muscle belly preferentially elicits non-spindle heteronymous feedback. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the differential effect of nerve and muscle stimulation onto the H-reflex, and the relation of the heteronymous effects onto H-reflex compared to that onto ongoing EMG has not been determined. In this cross-sectional study, we compared excitatory and inhibitory effects from femoral nerve and quadriceps muscle belly stimulation onto soleus H-reflex size in 15 able-bodied participants and in a subset also compared heteronymous effects onto ongoing soleus EMG at 10% and 20% max. Femoral nerve stimulation elicited greater excitation of the H-reflex compared to quadriceps stimulation. The differential effect was also observed onto ongoing soleus EMG at 20% max but not 10%. Femoral nerve and quadriceps stimulation elicited similar inhibition of the soleus H-reflexes, and these results were better associated with soleus EMG at 20%. The results support surface quadriceps muscles stimulation as a method to preferentially study heteronymous inhibition at least in healthy adults. The primary benefit of using muscle stimulation is expected to be in persons with abnormal, prolonged heteronymous excitation. These data further suggest heteronymous feedback should be evaluated with H-reflex or onto ongoing EMG of at least 20% max to identify group differences or modulation of heteronymous feedback in response to treatment or task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Cuadra
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Steven L. Wolf
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Senior Research Scientist, Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mark A. Lyle
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Cheng YR, Chi CH, Lee CH, Lin SH, Min MY, Chen CC. Probing the Effect of Acidosis on Tether-Mode Mechanotransduction of Proprioceptors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12783. [PMID: 37628964 PMCID: PMC10454156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Proprioceptors are low-threshold mechanoreceptors involved in perceiving body position and strain bearing. However, the physiological response of proprioceptors to fatigue- and muscle-acidosis-related disturbances remains unknown. Here, we employed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to probe the effect of mild acidosis on the mechanosensitivity of the proprioceptive neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in mice. We cultured neurite-bearing parvalbumin-positive (Pv+) DRG neurons on a laminin-coated elastic substrate and examined mechanically activated currents induced through substrate deformation-driven neurite stretch (SDNS). The SDNS-induced inward currents (ISDNS) were indentation depth-dependent and significantly inhibited by mild acidification (pH 7.2~6.8). The acid-inhibiting effect occurred in neurons with an ISDNS sensitive to APETx2 (an ASIC3-selective antagonist) inhibition, but not in those with an ISNDS resistant to APETx2. Detailed subgroup analyses revealed ISDNS was expressed in 59% (25/42) of Parvalbumin-positive (Pv+) DRG neurons, 90% of which were inhibited by APETx2. In contrast, an acid (pH 6.8)-induced current (IAcid) was expressed in 76% (32/42) of Pv+ DRG neurons, 59% (21/32) of which were inhibited by APETx2. Together, ASIC3-containing channels are highly heterogenous and differentially contribute to the ISNDS and IAcid among Pv+ proprioceptors. In conclusion, our findings highlight the importance of ASIC3-containing ion channels in the physiological response of proprioceptors to acidic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Ren Cheng
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10090, Taiwan;
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hung Chi
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Han Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shing-Hong Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yuan Min
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10090, Taiwan;
| | - Chih-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
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Cruz-Montecinos C, García-Massó X, Maas H, Cerda M, Ruiz-Del-Solar J, Tapia C. Detection of intermuscular coordination based on the causality of empirical mode decomposition. Med Biol Eng Comput 2023; 61:497-509. [PMID: 36527531 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-022-02736-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Considering the stochastic nature of electromyographic (EMG) signals, nonlinear methods may be a more accurate approach to study intermuscular coordination than the linear approach. The aims of this study were to assess the coordination between two ankle plantar flexors using EMG by applying the causal decomposition approach and assessing whether the intermuscular coordination is affected by the slope of the treadmill. The medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus muscles (SOL) were analyzed during the treadmill walking at inclinations of 0°, 5°, and 10°. The coordination was evaluated using ensemble empirical mode decomposition, and the causal interaction was encoded by the instantaneous phase dependence of time series bi-directional causality. To estimate the mutual predictability between MG and SOL, the cross-approximate entropy (XApEn) was assessed. The maximal causal interaction was observed between 40 and 75 Hz independent of inclination. XApEn showed a significant decrease between 0° and 5° (p = 0.028), between 5° and 10° (p = 0.038), and between 0° and 10° (p = 0.014), indicating an increase in coordination. Thus, causal decomposition is an appropriate methodology to study intermuscular coordination. These results indicate that the variation of loading through the change in treadmill inclination increases the interaction of the shared input between MG and SOL, suggesting increased intermuscular coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Cruz-Montecinos
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Laboratory of Clinical Biomechanics, Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Av. Independencia 1027, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Xavier García-Massó
- Department of Teaching of Musical, Visual and Corporal Expression, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Human Movement Analysis Group, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Huub Maas
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mauricio Cerda
- Integrative Biology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Center for Medical Informatics and Telemedicine (CIMT), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Claudio Tapia
- Laboratory of Clinical Biomechanics, Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Av. Independencia 1027, Independencia, Santiago, Chile. .,Departamento de Kinesiología, Facultad de Artes Y Educación Física, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de La Educación, Santiago, Chile.
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MS and GTO proprioceptor subtypes in the molecular genetic era: Opportunities for new advances and perspectives. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 76:102597. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Spinal Cord Circuits: Models and Reality. NEUROPHYSIOLOGY+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11062-022-09927-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Lyle MA, Cuadra C, Wolf SL. Quadriceps muscle stimulation evokes heteronymous inhibition onto soleus with limited Ia activation compared to femoral nerve stimulation. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2375-2388. [PMID: 35881156 PMCID: PMC10314715 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06422-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Heteronymous excitatory feedback from muscle spindles and inhibitory feedback from Golgi tendon organs and recurrent inhibitory circuits can influence motor coordination. The functional role of inhibitory feedback is difficult to determine, because nerve stimulation, the primary method used in humans, cannot evoke inhibition without first activating the largest diameter muscle spindle axons. Here, we tested the hypothesis that quadriceps muscle stimulation could be used to examine heteronymous inhibition more selectively when compared to femoral nerve stimulation by comparing the effects of nerve and muscle stimulation onto ongoing soleus EMG held at 20% of maximal effort. Motor threshold and two higher femoral nerve and quadriceps stimulus intensities matched by twitch evoked torque magnitudes were examined. We found that significantly fewer participants exhibited excitation during quadriceps muscle stimulation when compared to nerve stimulation (14-29% vs. 64-71% of participants across stimulation intensities) and the magnitude of heteronymous excitation from muscle stimulation, when present, was much reduced compared to nerve stimulation. Muscle and nerve stimulation resulted in heteronymous inhibition that significantly increased with increasing stimulation evoked torque magnitudes. This study provides novel evidence that muscle stimulation may be used to more selectively examine inhibitory heteronymous feedback between muscles in the human lower limb when compared to nerve stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Lyle
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1441 Clifton Road, N.E. Room 236D, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Cristian Cuadra
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1441 Clifton Road, N.E. Room 236D, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, 7591538, Santiago, Chile
| | - Steven L Wolf
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1441 Clifton Road, N.E. Room 236D, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Senior Research Scientist, Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Health Care System, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Niazi IF, Lyle MA, Rising A, Howland DR, Nichols TR. Redistribution of inhibitory force feedback between a long toe flexor and the major ankle extensor muscles following spinal cord injury. J Neurosci Res 2020; 98:1646-1661. [PMID: 32537945 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory pathways from Golgi tendon organs project widely between muscles crossing different joints and axes of rotation. Evidence suggests that the strength and distribution of this intermuscular inhibition is dependent on motor task and corresponding signals from the brainstem. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether this sensory network is altered after spinal cord hemisection as a potential explanation for motor deficits observed after spinal cord injury (SCI). Force feedback was assessed between the long toe flexor and ankle plantarflexor (flexor hallucis longus), and the three major ankle extensors, (combined gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles) in the hind limbs of unanesthetized, decerebrate, female cats. Data were collected from animals with intact spinal cords (control) and lateral spinal hemisections (LSHs) including chronic LSH (4-20 weeks), subchronic LSH (2 weeks), and acute LSH. Muscles were stretched individually and in pairwise combinations to measure intermuscular feedback between the toe flexor and each of the ankle extensors. In control animals, three patterns were observed (balanced inhibition between toe flexor and ankle extensors, stronger inhibition from toe flexor to ankle extensor, and vice versa). Following spinal hemisection, only strong inhibition from toe flexors onto ankle extensors was observed independent of survival time. The results suggest immediate and permanent reorganization of force feedback in the injured spinal cord. The altered strength and distribution of force feedback after SCI may be an important future target for rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irrum F Niazi
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mark A Lyle
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aaron Rising
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA.,National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dena R Howland
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - T Richard Nichols
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Hamm TM. Charting intermuscular reflex pathways with an effective force stimulus. J Physiol 2019; 597:4433-4434. [PMID: 31339192 DOI: 10.1113/jp278518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Hamm
- Barrow Neurological Institute, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, 350 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ, 85013, USA
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