Biology subjects

Thomason, H.

Publications and source records attributed to Thomason, H..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Reduction in Ia afferent input via ischaemia alters motor unit discharge characteristics and estimates of persistent inward currents

Persistent inward currents (PICs) govern motoneuron output and are influenced by diffuse neuromodulation and local inhibition. When large diameter afferent feedback is lost, as in some neurological conditions, PICs might additionally amplify and prolong synaptic inputs. Here, we examined whether reducing Ia afferent transmission via ischaemic nerve block alters PIC contribution to tibialis anterior (TA) motor unit (MU) discharge. Across two experiments 12 adults (5 female) performed triangular-shaped isometric dorsiflexion to 30% (Experiments 1 and 2) and 50% (Experiment 2) maximum voluntary force (MVF) at baseline, after a 20-minute rest (control), and during occlusion after inducing an ischaemic nerve block, confirmed by abolition of the soleus H-reflex. TA myoelectrical activity measured during contractions was decomposed into MU spike trains, and from smoothed MU discharges, discharge rate hysteresis ({Delta}F) and ascending non-linearity (brace height) were quantified. Results from Experiment 1 involving contractions matched to absolute force levels revealed increased peak discharge rate, {Delta}F, and brace height post-occlusion. However, {Delta}F normalised to maximal theoretical hysteresis did not change across time points. In Experiment 2, where MVF was reassessed at each timepoint and contractions were matched to relative force, peak discharge rate, normalised {Delta}F and brace height increased post-occlusion compared to pre-, across both contraction intensities. {Delta}F only increased post-occlusion at 50% MVF, with no changes at 30% MVF. These results show that ischaemic block of large-diameter axons, likely reducing reciprocal inhibition, increases PIC contribution to discharge rate modulation, highlighting the role of Ia afferent input in shaping motoneuron output in humans.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Training-induced alterations in the modulation of human motoneuron discharge patterns with contraction force

Motoneurons adapt to both resistance and endurance training in reduced animal preparations, with adaptations seemingly more apparent in higher threshold neurons, but similar evidence in humans is lacking. Here, we compared the identified motor unit (MU) discharge patterns from decomposed electromyography signals acquired during triangular dorsiflexion contractions up to 70% of maximal voluntary force (MVF) between resistance-trained, endurance-trained, and untrained individuals (n=23 in each group). We then estimated intrinsic motoneuron properties and garnered insight about the proportion of excitatory, inhibitory, and neuromodulatory inputs contributing to motor commands across contraction intensities in each group. Participants also performed a task where a triangular contraction was superimposed onto a sustained one designed to challenge inhibitory control of dendritic persistent inward currents (PICs). Both trained groups demonstrated greater MU discharge rates with greater ascending discharge rate modulation during higher contraction forces ([≥]50% MVF), which were accompanied by more linear MU discharge patterns and greater post-acceleration attenuation slopes of the ascending discharge rates. No differences in discharge rate hysteresis or the discharge rate characteristics during the sombrero tasks between groups, suggesting no differences in neuromodulatory input. Conversely, resistance-compared to endurance-trained individuals exhibited greater acceleration slopes during lower contractions forces ([≤]50% MVF), indicating the possibility of enhanced initial activation of PICs. Collectively, the greater and more linear MU discharge patterns in the trained groups either suggests a more reciprocal (i.e., push-pull) excitation-inhibition coupling during higher contraction forces or enhanced excitatory synaptic input to the motor pool, which might underpin greater force production of trained individuals.

neuroscience↗