Stochastic system identification techniques were used to determine the dynamic relationship between the electromyogram (EMG)
and torque in the ankle muscles of normal human subjects. EMG and torque were recorded while subjects modulated ankle torque
by tracking a computer-generated stochastic waveform. Nonparametric impulse response functions (IRFs) relating EMG to ankle
torque were computed and parameterised by determining the parameters of the second-order system which provided the best least-squares
fit. Two sets of experiments were carried out. In the first, the mean level of torque was varied from 5 per cent of the maximum
voluntary contraction (MVC) to 30 per cent MVC while the depth of modulation was held constant at ±5 per cent of MVC. In the
second series of experiments the mean torque was held constant at 25 per cent MVC while the depth of modulation was varied
from ±2.5 per cent to ±25 per cent. The major findings were: (1) A second-order, low-pass filter provided a good quasilinear
model of the EMG/force dynamics under all conditions; (2) The model parameters depended only weakly on the mean level of torque;
(3) In contrast, the model parameters depended strongly on the amplitude with which the contraction was modulated; the natural
frequency increased significantly with the depth of modulation. 相似文献
Summary A total of 152 ventrolateral medullary neurons was antidromically stimulated from both the medial preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area (MPOAH) and the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) in urethane anesthetized rats. These neurons were located primarily dorsal to the lateral reticular nucleus and could be readily classified in at least two groups, type I and type II cells on the basis of electrophysiological properties. The action potentials of type I cells had a shorter duration, and their conduction velocities ranged from 0.45 to 3.1 m/s. By contrast, type II cells, most predominantly observed, were characterized by a longer duration and an unusual shape of their action potential, and the antidromic propagation into the somatodendritic complex was often blocked. The conduction velocity (mean = 0.21 m/s) and absolute refractory period (mean = 2.63 ms) of type II cells are consistent with them having fine non-myelinated axons. Injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), but not 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, directly into the MFB blocked antidromic responses of 57% of type II cells tested. The residual type II cells whose antidromic responses were not affected by 6-OHDA were located significantly rostral to the 6-OHDA sensitive cells. Neither antidromic response of type I cells tested, on the other hand, was affected by 6-OHDA. The majority of type I cells were dramatically activated by noxious pinches of the tail, whereas the noxious stimuli produced no detectable change in the firing of type II cells. These data demonstrate that ventrolateral medullary neurons projecting to the MPOAH through the MFB are comprised of at least three distinct populations: 6-OHDA resistant fast conducting cells with somatic afferents, 6-OHDA sensitive and resistant slow conducting cells. 相似文献
The development of retinal projections to the pretectal complex of prenatal and early postnatal cats has been examined using the anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase and tritiated amino acids. As early as embryonic day 38, the entire dorsal pretectum is penetrated by retinal ganglion cell axons. At this stage the bilateral complement of retinal efferents appears to be dispersed uniformly within the pretectal anlage. A week later, on embryonic day 46, indistinct foci of peroxidase reaction product can be discerned within 2 of the primordial nuclei: the nucleus of the optic tract and the olivary nucleus. By embryonic day 56, five distinct bilateral fields of retinal fiber termination are apparent within the following regions:
(i) the nucleus of the optic tract;
(ii) the pretectal olivary nucleus;
(iii) the posterior pretectal nucleus;
(iv) the anterior pretectal nucleus; and
(v) the medial pretectal nucleus. Four days before birth, on embryonic day 61, crossed and uncrossed retinal arbors are partially segregated within the nucleus of the optic tract and the pretectal olivary nucleus.
The early postnatal retinal connection to the pretectum has an overall pattern virtually indistinguishable from that of the mature cat. The ontogeny of the retinal influx to the pretectum is similar to that of the retinocollicular projection.61 However, the development of retinal projections to the pretectum and superior colliculus appears to lag behind those to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus.49 These differences may reflect temporal and spatial gradients in the maturation of three major classes of retinal ganglion cells. 相似文献