[A study of the interaction between the peripheral motor neurons of muscle antagonists by the H-reflex method under normal conditions and in spastic hemiparesis]

Abstract

With the aid of the reflex method the authors studied the functional condition and interconnection of peripheral motoneurons of the muscles-antogonists in normal conditions and in spastic hemiparesis. In patients with spastic hemiparesis there was an increase in the inhibition latent period of the H-reflex following a conditioning stimula of the fibular nerve and a nonmonotonous restitution in the amplitude of the H-reflex during the periods of "late inhibition". These data permit to assume that in patients with pyramidal insufficiency the changes in the system of reciprocal inhibitive interaction of muscles-antagonists are fixed and are not subjected to a supraspinal control. This may determine the spastic character of the muscle tone in such patients.