Abstract

Spinal motoneuron firing depends greatly on persistent inward currents (PICs), which in turn are facilitated by the neuromodulators serotonin and noradrenaline. The aim of this study was to determine whether jaw clenching (JC) and mental stress (MS), which may increase neuromodulator release, facilitate PICs in human motoneurons. The paired motor unit (MU) technique was used to estimate PIC contribution to motoneuron firing. Surface electromyograms were collected using a 32-channel matrix on gastrocnemius medialis (GM) during voluntary, ramp, plantar flexor contractions. MU discharges were identified, and delta frequency ( F), a measure of recruitment–derecruitment hysteresis, was calculated. Additionally, another technique was used (VibStim) that evokes involuntary contractions that persist after cessation of combined Achilles tendon vibration and triceps surae neuromuscular electrical stimulation. VibStim measures of plantar flexor torque and soleus activity may reflect PIC activation. F was not significantly altered by JC (p =.679, n = 18, 9 females) or MS (p =.147, n = 14, 5 females). However, all VibStim variables quantifying involuntary torque and muscle activity during and after vibration cessation were significantly increased in JC (p < .011, n = 20, 10 females) and some, but not all, increased in MS (p =.017–.05, n = 19, 10 females). JC and MS significantly increased the magnitude of involuntary contractions (VibStim) but had no effect on GM F during voluntary contractions. Effects of increased neuromodulator release on PIC contribution to motoneuron firing might differ between synergists or be context dependent. Based on these data, the background level of voluntary contraction and, hence, both neuromodulation and ionotropic inputs could influence neuromodulatory PIC enhancement.

RAS ID

64596

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

11-1-2023

Volume

58

Issue

9

Funding Information

Edith Cowan University / Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency

PubMed ID

37840191

School

Centre for Human Performance / School of Medical and Health Sciences

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Publisher

Wiley

Comments

Mesquita, R. N. O., Taylor, J. L., Trajano, G. S., Holobar, A., Gonçalves, B. A. M., & Blazevich, A. J. (2023). Effects of jaw clenching and mental stress on persistent inward currents estimated by two different methods. European Journal of Neuroscience, 58(9), 4011-4033. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.16158

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1111/ejn.16158