Adaptive plasticity in the primate spinal stretch reflex: reversal and re-development.

TitleAdaptive plasticity in the primate spinal stretch reflex: reversal and re-development.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1983
AuthorsWolpaw, J
JournalBrain research
Volume278
Pagination299–304
Date Published11/1983
ISSN0006-8993
KeywordsLearning, Memory, plasticity, primate, spinal reflex, stretch reflex
Abstract

Monkeys can gradually increase or decrease the amplitude of the segmentally mediated spinal stretch reflex (SSR) without change in initial muscle length or background EMG activity. Both increase (under the SSR increases mode) and decrease (under the SSR decreases mode) occur slowly, progressing steadily over weeks. The present study investigated reversal and re-development of SSR amplitude change. Over a period of months, following collection of control data, monkeys were exposed to one mode, then to the other, and then to the first mode again. Development, reversal, and re-development of change all took place over weeks, following very similar courses. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that persistent segmental alteration underlies SSR amplitude change. Such persistent segmental alteration would constitute a technically accessible substrate of memory.

URLhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6640320
DOI10.1016/0006-8993(83)90259-7

You are here