Abstract
Peripheral stimuli facilitate, at a pre-motoneuronal level, the responses elicited in human upper limb motoneurons (MNs) by transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex (TMS). Several features indicate that the ‘relevant premotoneurones are distinct from segmental interneurones and located rostra] to MNs. Thus, corticospinal volleys would have an indirect (propriospinal) pathway to upper limb MNs, in addition to the direct cortico-motoneuronal pathway. Slightly increasing the corticospinal input causes the facilitation to be reversed to inhibition. This is consistent with a well-developed system of inhibitory intemeurones activated by corticospinal and afferent inputs inhibiting propriospinal neurones (PNs). Corticospinal activation of these inhibitory intemeurones would explain why propriospinally-mediated corticospinal EPSPs are weak in primate MNs after artificial (electrical or magnetic) activation of the corticospinal system by itself. However, indirect evidence for descending facilitation of PNs can be provided during normal voluntary contractions, while using the modulation of the ongoing EMG or of the H reflex.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alstermark, B., lsa, T., Ohki, T., and Saito, T., 1999, Di synaptic pyramidal excitation in forelimb motoneurons mediated via C3–C4 propriospinal neurons in theMacaca Fuscata Journal of Neurophysiology 82, 3580–3585.
Burke, D., Gracies, J. M., Mazevet, D., Meunier, S., and Pierrot-Deseilligny, E., 1992, Convergence of descending and various peripheral inputs onto common propriospinal-like neurones in manJournal of Physiology449, 655–671.
Burke, D., Gracies, J. M., Mazevet, D., Meunier, S., and Pierrot-Deseilligny, E., 1994, Non monosynaptic transmission of the cortical command for voluntary movement in manJournal of Physiology480, 191–202.
Lundberg, A., 1999, Descending control of forelimb movements in thecat Brain Research Bulletin50, 323–324.
Maertens de Noordhout, A., Rapisarda, G., Bogacz, D., Gerard, P., De Pasqua, V., Pennisi, G., and Delwaide, P. J., 1999, Corticomotoneuronal synaptic connections in normal man. An electrophysiological studyBrain122, 1327–1340.
Maier, M. A., Illert, M., Kirkwood, P. A., Nielsen, J., and Lemon R. N., 1998, Does a C3–C4 propriospinal system transmit corticospinal excitation in the primate? An investigation in the macaque monkeyJournal of Physiology511, 191–212.
Mazevet, D., and Pierrot-Deseilligny, E., 1994, Pattern of descending excitation of presumed propriospinal neurones at the onset of voluntary movement in manActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 150, 27–38.
Nakajima, K., Maier, M. A., Kirkwood, P. A., and Lemon R. N., 2000, Striking differences in transmission of corticospinal excitation to upper limb motoneurons in two primate speciesJournal of Neurophysiology84, 698–709.
Nicolas, G., Marchand-Pauvert, V., Burke, D., and Pierrot-Deseilligny, E., 2001,Corticospinal excitation of presumed propriospinal neurones and its reversal to inhibition in humansJournal of Physiology533, 903–919.
Pauvert, V., Pierrot-Deseilligny, E., and Rothwell, J. C., 1998, Role of spinal premotoneurones in mediating corticospinal input to forearm motoneurones in manJournal of Physiology508, 301–312.
Pierrot-Deseilligny, E., 1996, Transmission of the cortical command for human voluntary movement through cervical premotoneuronesProgress in Neurobiology48, 489–517.
Pierrot-Deseilligny, E., Morin, C., Bergego, C., and Tankov, N., 1981, Pattern of group I fibre projections from ankle flexor and extensor muscles in manExperimental Brain Research42, 337–350.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Pierrot-Deseilligny, E., Marchand-Pauvert, V. (2002). A Cervical Propriospinal System in Man. In: Gandevia, S.C., Proske, U., Stuart, D.G. (eds) Sensorimotor Control of Movement and Posture. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 508. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0713-0_33
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0713-0_33
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5206-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-0713-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive