Biomedical subjects

B L Day

Publications and source records attributed to B L Day.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1986

Motor strategies involved in the performance of sequential movements.

The present study analyses the strategies adopted by normal subjects when they are asked to make two separate movements as rapidly as possible one after the other. Five subjects performed the following sequential movements in their own time. 1) Squeeze an isometric force transducer between fingers and thumb to a force of 30 N and then flex the elbow of the same arm through 15 degrees. 2) Squeeze the transducer with one hand and then flex the elbow of the other arm. 3) Perform an isotonic opposition of finger and thumb and then flex the elbow of the same arm. 4) First flex the elbow through 15, 30 or 45 degrees and then squeeze the transducer. 5) Flex and then extend the elbow as rapidly as possible. In tasks 1-4 there was no correlation between the times taken to complete the two separate components of the sequence. Because of this we suggest that the two movements remained under the control of two separate motor programmes. In contrast, in task 5, the times taken for the two components were correlated and hence we suggest that in this case a single programme was used to perform the sequence. In tasks 1-3, in which the mean duration of the first movement was some 135-162 ms, there was a mean pause of about 85 ms before the start of the second movement. Subjects tended to chose a minimum inter-onset latency between the start of the first and the start of the second movement of a sequence of some 230 ms. The reason for this appeared to be that if subjects were encouraged to decrease their inter-onset latencies to less than 200 ms, the speed of the second movement decreased sharply. However, if the duration of the first movement was prolonged as in task 4, the second movement could be delayed, although there now was little or no pause between the two movements. We conclude that when a single motor programme is run, it is followed by a "relative refractory period". If a second programme is run within this period, it cannot be executed without loss of speed. Switching from one motor programme to another is achieved with an optimal minimum delay of 200 ms. Sequential movements which are controlled by a single programme do not share this limitation.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Performance of simultaneous movements in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Ten right-handed patients with Parkinson's disease and 9 normal subjects performed five different types of movements as rapidly as possible in their own time: isotonic elbow flexion through an angle of 15 deg ('flex'); isometric squeezing of a force transducer between thumb and fingers ('squeeze'); isotonic finger flexion ('cut'); simultaneous performance of both 'flex' and 'squeeze'; simultaneous performance of 'flex' and 'cut'. The patients performed the separate movements of 'flex', 'squeeze' and 'cut' more slowly than normals. However, a more striking deficit was seen when a 'flex' and a 'squeeze' had to be performed at the same time, and with the same arm. There was an additional increase in movement times over and above that seen in the separate movements alone. If the patients used both arms ('flex' with the right, 'squeeze' with the left), rather than one, or when a 'flex' and a 'cut' had to be combined in the same arm, only a slight increase in movement times was observed. In normals, however, the speed of individual movements of 'flex', 'squeeze' or 'cut' was the same irrespective of whether they were performed separately or simultaneously. In any one subject, movement times for the separate components of 'flex' and 'squeeze' varied independently during the performance of the simultaneous movement. Because they remain independent, we suggest that when 'flex' and 'squeeze' are performed at the same time, two separate motor programmes are superimposed to produce the combined movement. In Parkinson's disease there may be a deficit in superimposing two separate motor programmes which leads to the pronounced slowness of simultaneous movements with the same arm. Comparison of movement times for a 'flex' (but not for a 'squeeze') in the separate and simultaneous movements showed that the degree of clinical akinesia was more closely related to the additional slowness in simultaneous movements than to the slowness seen when the movements were performed separately. The degree of disturbance in superimposing separate motor programmes may determine the amount of clinical akinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

The effect of percutaneous motor cortex stimulation on H reflexes in muscles of the arm and leg in intact man.

The technique of electrical stimulation of the brain via scalp electrodes has been used to activate corticospinal pathways in intact man. The intensity of stimulation was adjusted to be below the threshold necessary to evoke a direct electromyographic response when the muscles being tested were totally relaxed. Changes in spinal cord excitability were measured using H-reflex (monosynaptic) testing. By this means it was found that subthreshold scalp stimulation can produce a descending corticospinal volley even in the absence of a direct muscle response. The time course of changes in spinal cord excitability was evaluated by evoking test H reflexes at different intervals relative to the scalp stimulus. In wrist and finger flexor muscles of seven subjects, a single subthreshold scalp shock produced an initial peak facilitation of the H reflex which on average lasted for 2.5 ms. The end of the initial facilitation was marked by a return of the H reflex towards basal levels and on one occasion by a frank inhibition. It is suggested that the initial facilitation is produced by arrival at the motoneurones of monosynaptic excitatory post-synaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.s) and is truncated by the subsequent arrival of disynaptic inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (i.p.s.p.s). The initial facilitation was followed by a second phase of facilitation of the H reflex. The second phase was weaker, more variable and longer lasting (from 5 to 20 ms) than the first phase. The threshold of scalp stimulus intensity required to produce an effect on the H reflex was the same for the first and second phases of facilitation. Several possible explanations are discussed for the mechanism responsible for the late and long-lasting facilitation. In two subjects wrist and finger extensor muscles were studied. The time course of H-reflex changes was similar to that of the flexors except that the initial facilitation was followed by a frank inhibition in both subjects. In one subject thenar muscles and tibialis anterior were studied and behaved similarly to wrist and finger flexor muscles. Effects on the soleus H reflex was studied in seven subjects. In five of these subjects, in contrast to the other muscles studied, the initial event was an inhibition of the H reflex. This inhibition also could be seen preceding the usual period of facilitation in averaged rectified surface electromyogram (e.m.g.) records when scalp stimuli were given during weak voluntary activation of soleus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Arm↗

PubMed1986

Scaling of the size of the first agonist EMG burst during rapid wrist movements in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Rapid wrist flexion movements were studied in a group of 10 patients with Parkinson's disease both on and off their normal drug therapy, and were compared with the same movements made by a group of eight normal individuals. When normal subjects made movements through 60 degrees, the first agonist burst of EMG activity in the wrist flexor muscles was longer and larger than that seen in movements of 15 degrees. If a large opposing load of 2.2 Nm was added, this also increased the size and duration of the first agonist EMG burst. Although the movements made by the patients were slower than those of normals, the size and duration of the first agonist EMG burst changed with movement size and added load in the normal way. This shows that patients can produce large, long bursts of EMG activity, but that there is a failure to match these parameters appropriately to the size of movement required. The effect of levodopa therapy on the movements was not dramatic. Although patients produced faster wrist movements when on medication than when off, the change was relatively small compared with the change seen in their overall clinical rating. Changes in the velocity of movements at a single joint are not a good reflection of the overall clinical state of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Associated postural adjustments in Parkinson's disease.

Postural activity in muscles of the back and legs associated with voluntary forward elevation of the arm at the shoulder with the subject standing was examined in 14 patients with Parkinson's disease and nine normal individuals. The time of onset of EMG activity in each of the postural muscles, relative to the onset of activity in the prime mover, was the same for both patient and normal groups and did not depend on load. The amplitude of the EMG bursts and their frequency of occurrence, was less in patients off drug treatment and immobile, than when mobile on therapy. We conclude that the timing of associated postural adjustments is normal in Parkinson's disease, although their size may be decreased.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Dystonia of the legs induced by walking or passive movement of the big toe in a patient with cerebellar ectopia and syringomyelia.

A 45-year-old man with dystonia of the legs was found to have cerebellar ectopia and syringomyelia. Both walking and passive movements of the big toes evoked dystonic postures of the legs. Electrophysiologic studies suggested that the dystonic movements were reflex in origin. We propose that the cervical spinal cord lesion, involving propriospinal pathways, resulted in an abnormal response of spinal interneurons to peripheral stimuli.

Cerebellar Diseases↗

PubMed1985

Increase of the Bereitschaftspotential in simultaneous and sequential movements.

The amplitude and duration of the Bereitschaftspotential were analysed in 9 normal subjects prior to four different motor tasks: (1) simple isotonic elbow flexion ('flex'), (2) simple isometric finger flexion ('squeeze'), (3) simultaneous performance of 'flex' and 'squeeze', and (4) sequential performance of 'flex' then 'squeeze'. The Bereitschaftspotential was much larger and slightly longer in the simultaneous and sequential movements than in the same movements performed separately. The amplitudes of the Bereitschaftspotential were measured 150 and 75 ms prior to electromyographic (EMG) onset of the prime mover, and at the time of EMG onset. Changes in size were seen in all leads (FCz, Cz, C3', C4') and at all time points. It is suggested that the increase of the Bereitschaftspotential prior to complex arm movements reflects a greater activation of the supplementary motor area before simultaneous and sequential movements.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Cerebral potentials and electromyographic responses evoked by stretch of wrist muscles in man.

The cerebral evoked potential produced by rapid extension of the wrist was recorded from scalp electrodes in normal subjects while they exerted a small background flexor torque (0.24 Nm) against an electric motor. The initial part of the response consisted of a negative deflection (N1) with an average latency of 24.7 ms. This was followed by a biphasic P1/P2 (32 ms) response and a large later negative wave (N2) (76 ms). Passive wrist extension also evoked reflex EMG responses in the forearm flexor muscles which could be resolved into a short latency (25 ms) and long-latency (52 ms) component. The cerebral responses persisted almost unchanged during complete ischaemic anaesthesia of the hand produced by a pressure cuff around the wrist, and were reduced if the stretch was given during voluntary wrist flexion. The primary component (N1-P1/P2) of the cerebral response probably represents the arrival at the cortex of the muscle afferent volley. However, the significance of the secondary component (P1/P2-N2) is unknown. Under certain conditions, its size was related to the size of the long latency stretch reflex evoked by stretch of the flexor muscles. Thus, increasing the velocity of stretch or decreasing the repetition rate (from 1.0 to 0.15 Hz) at which stretches were applied, increased the size of both the muscle reflex and the cerebral response. The secondary component also could be changed by voluntary reaction to wrist stretch. Changes in the size of the secondary component of the evoked response may represent the earliest cortical sign of interaction between sensory input and motor output.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Pathophysiology of blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia.

The pathophysiology of reflexes mediated by the fifth and seventh cranial nerves has been studied in 16 patients with blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia compared with normal age-matched subjects. The EMG activity of the dystonic spasms in the periocular and jaw muscles was similar to that described in other muscles in patients with generalized torsion dystonia. The latency of the R1 and R2 components of the blink reflex and of the corneal reflex was normal. However, the amplitude and the duration of the R1 and R2 and the duration of the corneal reflex were increased. In some patients the R1 component was also present on the side contralateral to the stimulus, while in normal subjects it was present only on the ipsilateral side. The excitability cycle of recovery of the R2 component of the blink reflex after a prior conditioning shock was enhanced in the patients. There were no EEG potentials preceding blepharospasms in the patients, although a Bereitschaftspotential was seen beginning some 500 ms prior to voluntary blinks in the same individuals. Exteroceptive suppression in the contracting masseter and orbicularis oculi muscles was absent in 40 to 50 per cent of the patients. The jaw jerk was present in all the patients with normal latency. These results indicate that the neuronal arcs of the facial reflexes in blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia are normal. However, there is an abnormal excitatory drive, perhaps from the basal ganglia, to the facial motoneurons and the interneurons which mediate the facial reflexes in the brainstem.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

The corneal reflex and the R2 component of the blink reflex.

A reflex contraction of the human orbicularis oculi muscles can be evoked by stimulation of either the supraorbital region ("blink reflex") or the cornea ("corneal reflex"). We found that the latency of the corneal reflex was longer, and the duration was longer than the R2 component of the blink reflex. The absolute refractory period of the R2 component of the blink reflex was longer after supraorbital than after corneal conditioning stimulation. When the R2 component of the blink reflex was habituated by repetitive stimuli, stimulation of the cornea still evoked a reflex, but supraorbital stimulation produced only a depressed R2 response. These findings suggest that the two reflexes do not have identical neural connections.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Abnormalities in central motor pathway conduction in multiple sclerosis.

The technique of scalp stimulation of the motor cortex was used to demonstrate abnormalities in the corticomotoneuron pathway in multiple sclerosis. Unilateral or bilateral delays in corticomotoneuron conduction, dispersion of corticomotoneuron volleys, or both, were shown to occur in such patients. Changes may be seen even in patients with little clinical evidence of corticomotoneuron deficit.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Duration of the first agonist EMG burst in ballistic arm movements.

In normal subjects, fast arm movements are accomplished by a diphasic or triphasic EMG activation of the agonist and antagonist muscles. The duration of the first agonist burst (Ag1) has been said to be constant for movements of different size, whilst its amplitude is variable. Previous studies focused on relatively small movements (10-40 degrees). We have studied the behaviour of the Ag1 duration over the full physiological range of wrist and elbow flexion movements in normal subjects. The results showed that the principle of invariance of Ag1 duration was true when small movements of about 15-30 degrees were studied, but when larger movements were made burst length increased. A similar increase in Ag1 burst duration also was seen during movements performed against a load and in contractions made with fatigued muscles. Changes in duration of the Ag1 burst appear to be part of the normal mechanism for increasing the impulsive force provided in rapid contractions.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Movements not involved in posture are abnormal in Parkinson's disease.

We have studied movements of the top joint of the thumb in a group of patients with Parkinson's disease. Even when movements were performed with the proximal phalanx of the thumb clamped, and with the forearm fully supported, movement time was prolonged and multiple bursts of EMG activity were present in the flexor pollicis longus. An abnormality of such movements performed with complete external postural support suggests that disease of the basal ganglia affect all movements, not just those involved in posture.

Aged↗

PubMed1984

Effects of motor cortex stimulation on spinal interneurones in intact man.

The effect of a descending corticospinal volley on a spinal inhibitory pathway, has been studied in five intact human subjects. Approximately 63% inhibition of the H-reflex evoked in wrist and finger flexor muscles, was produced by motor threshold stimulation of the radial nerve. When a submotor threshold cortical shock was given 2 to 4 ms before the H-reflex, this inhibition was reduced to approximately 38%. The timing of this effect is compatible with either a monosynaptic or disynaptic corticospinal tract projection onto the spinal inhibitory interneurone.

Electric Stimulation↗

PubMed1984

Reciprocal inhibition between the muscles of the human forearm.

Peripheral and central mechanisms of reciprocal inhibition between antagonist muscles in the forearm have been studied in ten human subjects. H reflexes were evoked in flexor muscles by stimulating the median nerve with single shocks at around motor threshold intensity. Peripheral inhibition of the flexor H reflex was produced by motor threshold stimulation with a single shock of the radial nerve supplying the extensor muscles. The conditioning radial nerve stimulus produced inhibition of the flexor H reflex consisting of three phases. In some individuals, an H reflex could be evoked in extensor muscles of the forearm. Stimulation of the median nerve produced inhibition of the extensor H reflex with a similar time course to that from extensors to flexors. The first phase of inhibition was apparent when the test median nerve shock was given from 1 ms before to 3 ms after the conditioning radial nerve shock. It was abrupt in onset and short in duration and could be evoked with a conditioning stimulus intensity as low as 0.75 X motor threshold. The second and third phases of inhibition were evident when the conditioning radial nerve stimulus preceded the median nerve test shock by 5 to 50, and 50 to 500 ms respectively. The characteristics of these later phases of inhibition are to be the subject of a separate report. The difference in timing of the peak initial short-latency inhibition from extensor to flexor and from flexor to extensor muscles enabled an estimate to be made of the central synaptic delay of the inhibitory process. This method yielded a central delay of 0.95 ms in excess of that of the H reflex. We conclude that the first phase of inhibition is mediated via large group I afferents acting through a single inhibitory interneurone . Central inhibition of the flexor H reflex was demonstrated with the radial nerve anaesthetized by injection of local anaesthetic at the elbow. Subjects were asked to try to contract the paralysed extensor muscles. Under this condition, attempted voluntary wrist extension inhibited the flexor H reflex even though no movement occurred. A shock was delivered to the radial nerve at a site proximal to the anaesthetic block. When the shock was applied in conjunction with an attempted voluntary contraction of the paralysed extensor muscles, the depth of inhibition was greater than that predicted from the effect of either a shock or a willed contraction acting independently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Patients with Parkinson's disease can employ a predictive motor strategy.

We have tested the hypothesis that predictive motor behaviour is abnormal in Parkinson's disease. In the first experiment elbow movements were performed to track a moving spot on an oscilloscope screen. The performance of 12 patients with Parkinson's disease and eight age-matched control subjects was measured when tracking a repeated pattern under two conditions. In the first condition subjects were not aware of the repetitive nature of the tracking task whilst in the second condition they were. For both groups tracking error and tracking lag were less when aware of the repetition. In the second experiment wrist movements were studied. Five age-matched controls were compared with five patients, studied on and off drugs. In this experiment the performance tracking a repeated pattern was compared to that tracking unpredictable patterns. Tracking lags were reduced to very low values (less than 20 ms) in response to the repeated pattern for both groups. This was true even when the patients were relatively immobile off drugs. We conclude that patients with Parkinson's disease are capable of predictive motor behaviour although such a strategy does not always confer as great an advantage in reducing tracking error in patients compared with control subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Transmission in the spinal reciprocal Ia inhibitory pathway preceding willed movements of the human wrist.

Transmission in the Ia inhibitory pathway from wrist extensor muscles onto flexor motoneurones was investigated in the 160 ms period prior to a willed movement in 6 human subjects. H-reflexes were evoked in flexor muscles at various times before the onset of electromyographic activity. Disynaptic inhibition of the H-reflex was produced by low intensity stimulation of the antagonist radial nerve. Prior to a wrist flexion movement, transmission in the inhibitory pathway was diminished. Prior to an extension movement it was facilitated. The findings are consistent with the notion that the command to the agonist motoneurones acts also on a specific population of Ia inhibitory interneurones.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed1983

Interaction between the long-latency stretch reflex and voluntary electromyographic activity prior to a rapid voluntary motor reaction.

The size of the long-latency component of the stretch reflex has been examined in the time interval between a signal to move and the required rapid voluntary contraction of triceps and flexor pollicis longus in 8 normal subjects. Bilateral movements of the elbow and thumb were made following an auditory signal. In 50% of the trials a torque pulse was applied unilaterally in order to elicit a stretch reflex response in one arm. The voluntary response in the contralateral arm was uncorrupted by a stretch reflex response, so was used as an indicator of voluntary reaction time. Control experiments, using an electrical stimulus to the fingers rather than muscle stretch, verified that both arms reacted almost simultaneously to the auditory cue, even when the reaction time was shortened by the presence of a unilateral electrical stimulus. Similarly, an interposed muscle stretch stimulus considerably reduced the reaction time to the audio signal. Because of this, the start of the voluntary EMG response frequently 'over-lapped' the end of the long-latency stretch reflex. Failure to take this shortening of voluntary reaction time into consideration can lead to the erroneous conclusion that reflex gain is increased prior to a rapid movement. If the 'overlap' of EMG responses is accounted for, very little change in the size of the long-latency stretch reflex is evident prior to activation of the muscles responsible for the movement of either the elbow or the thumb.

Acoustic Stimulation↗