OUTPUT ELEMENTS OF SPINAL CIRCUITRY

正常的运动是由神经回路的相互作用产生的， 主要是在脊髓和肌肉骨骼系统中。为手段 这个项目的目标是 将是识别这个脊髓回路的输出元件， 肌肉骨骼系统的最小部分， 电路可能会相互作用。特别是，我们将评估 神经肌肉间室可能通过分析作为输出元件 它们的机械性能。猫的神经肌肉间室 腓肠外侧肌和腓肠内侧肌以及人 桡侧腕屈肌和桡侧腕长伸肌将 研究了使用多轴力-力矩传感器，我们将确定 由隔室激活或刺激产生的扭矩 在两个关节处围绕三个正交轴 （踝和膝或者腕和肘）由这些肌肉交叉。如果 我们假设它们是输出元素，那么我们假设它们将发挥 由这些扭矩测量的机械效应是唯一的， 当多个隔室一起被激活时其不改变。 我们还建议，隔室中的所有电机单元都将是 预期对骨骼系统产生相同的机械作用， 隔室是输出元件。这项研究的结果将 也为本PPG中的其他项目提供重要的背景数据 为确定产出要素提供科学依据 脊髓神经回路我们预计，这些发现将有助于 运动科学家研究神经系统对运动的精细化 作为其临床作用的一部分， 涉及肌肉的治疗方式的应用。

Normal movement is produced by an interaction of neural circuits, primarily in the spinal cord, and the musculoskeletal system. As a means of investigating this important interaction, the goal of this project will be to identify output elements of this spinal circuitry, the smallest portions of the musculoskeletal system with which spinal circuits might interact. In particular we will evaluate whether neuromuscular compartments might function as output elements by analyzing their mechanical properties. Neuromuscular compartments in the cat lateral gastrocnemius and medial gastrocnemius muscles and the human flexor carpi radialis and extensor carpi radialis longus muscles will be studied. Using a multi-axis force-moment transducer, we will determine the torques, produced either by compartment activation or by stimulation of single motor units, about three orthogonal axes at both of the joints (ankle and knee or wrist and elbow) crossed by these muscles. If compartments are output elements, then we postulate that they will exert mechanical effects, as measured by these torques, which are unique, and which are not altered when multiple compartments are activated together. We propose also that all of the motor units in a compartment would be expected to exert the same mechanical effect on the skeletal system if the compartments are output elements. The results of this study will provide important background data for other projects in this PPG as well as providing a scientific basis for the identification of output elements of spinal circuits. We anticipate that these findings will be useful for movement scientists studying the elaboration of movement by the nervous system and by rehabilitationists who have as part of their clinical role the application of therapeutic modalities involving muscle.