AIM Changes in the amplitude of Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) may reflect variations in the characteristics of the largely monosynaptic circuitry that is explored and are a possible target for diagnostic and physical therapeutic intervention. However, previous attempts to induce predictable changes in the H-reflex amplitude by transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation (TENS) have generally fai...

Running head: Multimodal Imaging of Eating Reflex Seizures Thomas Blauwblomme, MSc, Philippe Kahane, MD PhD, Lorella Minotti MD, Frédéric Grouiller, PhD, Alexandre Krainik, MD PhD, Laurent Vercueil, MD PhD, Stéphan Chabardès, MD, Dominique Hoffmann, MD, Olivier David, PhD 1 INSERM, U836, Grenoble Institute of Neuroscience, France 2 Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France 3 Department of Neu...

This study investigated whether there are sex differences in the spinal excitability of the human mirror-neuron system. We measured the modulation of spinal excitability, elicited by Hoffmann reflex in the left plantar flexor muscle (soleus), when women and men participants observed videos of bipedal heel-stepping (plantar dorsiflexion), standing still, and bipedal toe-stepping (plantar flexion...

Standing balance is often threatened in everyday life. These threats typically involve scenarios in which either the likelihood or the consequence of falling is higher than normal. When cats are placed in these scenarios they respond by increasing the sensitivity of muscle spindles imbedded in the leg muscles, presumably to increase balance-relevant afferent information available to the nervous...

Dynamic task-dependent regulation of reflexes controlled by the central nervous system plays an integral part in neurocontrol of locomotion. Such modifications of sensory-motor transmission can be studied by conditioning a test reflex with specific motor tasks. To elicit short-latency test reflexes, we applied a novel transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation technique that depolarizes large-diame...

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 5-wk unilateral, isometric strength-training program on plasticity in the spinal Hoffmann (H-) reflex in both the trained and untrained legs. Sixteen participants, 22-42 yr old, were assigned to either a control (n = 6) or an exercise group (n = 10). Both groups were tested for plantar flexion maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MV...

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) often complain of urinary disturbances characterized by overactive bladder syndrome and difficulties in bladder emptying. The aim of the study was to investigate the pathophysiology of bladder dysfunction and the neurophysiological effects of intradetrusorial incobotulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) in patients with MS having both brain and spinal MS-related lesions....

Spinal integration of sensory signals associated with hip position, muscle loading, and cutaneous sensation of the foot contributes to movement regulation. The exact interactive effects of these sensory signals under controlled dynamic conditions are unknown. The purpose of the present study was to establish the effects of combined plantar cutaneous afferent excitation and hip movement on the H...