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Abstract

Biology

Terminal H-reflex Measurements in Mice

Published: June 16th, 2022

DOI:

10.3791/63304

1Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Neurology, University of Cologne, 2Department for Animal Physiology, Institute for Zoology, Biocenter Cologne, University of Cologne, 3Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Juelich

* These authors contributed equally

Abstract

The Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex), as an electrical analog to the stretch reflex, allows electrophysiological validation of the integrity of neural circuits after injuries such as spinal cord damage or stroke. An increase of the H-reflex response, together with symptoms like non-voluntary muscle contractions, pathologically augmented stretch reflex, and hypertonia in the corresponding muscle, is an indicator of post-stroke spasticity (PSS).

In contrast to rather nerve-unspecific transcutaneous measurements, here, we present a protocol to quantify the H-reflex directly at the ulnar and median nerves of the forepaw, which is applicable, with minor modifications, to the tibial and sciatic nerve of the hindpaw. Based on the direct stimulation and the adaptation to different nerves, the method represents a reliable and versatile tool to validate electrophysiological changes in spasticity-related disease models.

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Keywords H reflex

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