Excessive short-latency stretch reflexes in the calf muscles do not cause postural instability in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia.
Clin Neurophysiol
; 130(8): 1188-1195, 2019 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31163363
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To identify the role of hyperexcitable short-latency stretch reflexes (SLRs) on balance control in people with hereditary spastic paraplegia (PwHSP).METHODS:
Sixteen PwHSP with triceps surae spasticity and 9 healthy control subjects were subjected to toes-up support-surface perturbations. EMG data were recorded from gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis anterior. Furthermore, center-of-mass trajectories were recorded.RESULTS:
PwHSP were less able to withstand the perturbations. Triceps surae SLRs (40-80â¯ms post perturbation) in PwHSP were increased compared to healthy subjects. Furthermore, a sustained triceps surae EMG activity at 220-320â¯ms post perturbation was observed in PwHSP, whereas control subjects demonstrated suppression of triceps surae activity. Center of mass trajectories started to diverge between PwHSP and controls only after â¼500â¯ms, with greater excursions being observed in the PwHSP.CONCLUSIONS:
The present results confirm that balance control is impaired in PwHSP. However, the late instant of center of mass divergence argues against a direct, causative role of hyperexcitable SLRs in the triceps surae.SIGNIFICANCE:
We postulate that enhanced short-latency stretch reflexes of the triceps surae do not underlie poor balance control in PwHSP. Instead, we suggest the lack of suppression of later triceps surae activity to be the main cause.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Reflex, Stretch
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Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary
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Muscle, Skeletal
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Postural Balance
/
Ankle
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Clin Neurophysiol
Journal subject:
NEUROLOGIA
/
PSICOFISIOLOGIA
Year:
2019
Type:
Article