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The Journal of Neuroscience, July 15, 2002, 22(14):5803-5807
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Automatic Postural Responses Are Delayed by Pyridoxine-Induced
Somatosensory Loss
Paul J.
Stapley1,
Lena
H.
Ting1,
Manuel
Hulliger2, and
Jane M.
Macpherson1
1 Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health and
Science University, Beaverton, Oregon 97006-3499, and
2 Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4N1, Canada
Pyridoxine given in large doses is thought to destroy selectively
the large-diameter peripheral sensory nerve fibers, leaving motor
fibers intact. This study examined the effects of pyridoxine-induced somatosensory loss on automatic postural responses to sudden
displacements of the support surface in the standing cat. Two cats were
trained to stand on four force plates mounted on a movable platform.
They were given pyridoxine (350 mg/kg, i.p.) on 2 successive days (0 and 1). Electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from selected hindlimb muscles during linear ramp-and-hold platform displacements in
each of 12 directions at 15 cm/sec. In control trials onset latencies
of evoked activity in hindlimb flexor and extensor muscles ranged from
40 to 65 msec after the onset of platform acceleration. After injection
the EMG latencies increased over days, becoming two to three times
longer than controls by day 7. Excursions of the body center of mass
(CoM) in the direction opposite to that of platform translation were
significantly greater at day 7 compared with controls, and the time at
which the CoM subsequently reversed direction was delayed. Both animals
were ataxic from day 2 onward. Histological analysis of cutaneous and
muscle nerves in the hindlimb revealed a significant loss of fibers in
the group I range. Our results suggest that large afferent fibers are
critical for the timing of automatic postural responses to ensure
coordinated control of the body CoM and balance after unexpected
disturbances of the support surface.
Key words:
posture and balance; EMG; cat; pyridoxine; somatosensory
loss; peripheral neuropathy
Copyright © 2002 Society for Neuroscience 0270-6474/02/22145803-05$05.00/0
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