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Consistent repeated M‐ and H‐wave recording in the hind limb of rats
Author(s) -
Cliffer Kenneth D.,
Tonra James R.,
Carson Susan R.,
Radley Heather E.,
Cavnor Chris,
Lindsay Ronald M.,
Bodine Sue C.,
DiStefano Peter S.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199811)21:11<1405::aid-mus7>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - h reflex , reflex , stimulus (psychology) , amplitude , sciatic nerve , f wave , sensory system , nerve conduction velocity , hindlimb , anatomy , dorsum , medicine , electrophysiology , peripheral , tibial nerve , physics , anesthesia , stimulation , neuroscience , psychology , quantum mechanics , psychotherapist
Sensory and motor conduction velocities calculated from latencies of H reflexes and M waves in rat hind limbs have been used to assess experimental peripheral neuropathy. Amplitudes and latencies vary with recording location, and are seldom assessed directly. Using subcutaneous electrodes on the foot, we recorded consistent M waves and H reflexes while stimulating the sciatic or tibial nerve. The late wave disappeared when dorsal roots were cut, verifying that it was an H reflex. However, stimulus–response characteristics differed from those in humans: (a) the threshold was often higher than for M waves; (b) stimulus intensity eliciting a maximum H‐reflex amplitude (H max ) was often higher than adequate for a maximum M‐wave amplitude; and (c) the amplitudes of H reflexes stimulated with intensities supramaximal for the M wave were over 90% of H max . H reflexes and M waves recorded repeatedly in rats can be useful in assessing sensory and motor function in models of neuropathy, using amplitudes as well as conduction velocities. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21: 1405–1413, 1998