Experimental brain research. Experimentelle Hirnforschung. Expérimentation cérébrale
-
The present study addressed the question of how do anticipatory postural adjustments (APA) develop during childhood, in the range from 4 to 8 years, during a bimanual load-lifting task. This task required maintaining the stabilisation of the forearm position despite imposed or voluntary unloading of the forearm. Elbow angle and multiple surface EMG were recorded on the child postural forearm supporting a load. ⋯ In fact, regression of the co-contraction pattern was observed with age, together with selection of the adult-like reciprocal pattern. Mastering of the timing adjustments of the reciprocal pattern, characterised in adults by a well-synchronised co-ordination between onset of the flexor muscle contraction of the manual arm and onset of the flexor muscle inhibition of the postural forearm, progressively improves during development. Moreover, these results suggest that the internal representation of the consequences of unloading on the forearm stabilisation, underlying anticipatory function during a bimanual co-ordination task, slowly build up during childhood.
-
Comparative Study
Modulation of rodent cortical motor excitability by somatosensory input.
It is assumed that somatosensory input is required for motor learning and recovery from focal brain injury. In rodents and other mammals, corticocortical projections between somatosensory and motor cortices are modified by patterned input. Whether and how motor cortex function is modulated by somatosensory input to support motor learning is largely unknown. ⋯ It is concluded that somatosensory input increases motor excitability in rat. This increase outlasts the stimulation period and is mediated by supraspinal structures, likely motor cortex. Modulation of motor cortex excitability by somatosensory input may play a role in motor learning and recovery from lesion.
-
The timecourse of cell death in adult dorsal root ganglia after peripheral axotomy has not been fully characterised. It is not clear whether neuronal death begins within 1 week of axotomy or continues beyond 2 months after axotomy. Similarly, neither the timecourse of satellite cell death in the adult, nor the effect of nerve repair has been described. ⋯ Neuronal death is modulated by peripheral nerve repair and by its timing after axotomy. Secondary satellite cell death also occurs, peaking 2 months after axotomy. These results provide a logical framework for future research into neuronal and satellite cell death within the dorsal root ganglia and provide further insight into the process of axotomy induced neuronal death.