Spinal reflexes as a basis for tremor in the premammillary cat

Abstract

A maintained tremor observed in premammillary cats was studied by varying the load attached to the soleus muscle, by electrical recording and stimulation. The frequency and amplitude of the tremor varies widely with changes in elastic or inertial loading (springs or flywheels). These variations agree well with predictions based on the idea that the tremor is maintained by reflexes reinforcing a tendency for oscillation in a mass-spring system (which includes the elasticity of the muscle). Spinal stretch reflexes are probably responsible since a relatively fixed delay of 8.5 .+-. 2.9 ms is observed between the peaks of recorded afferent and electromyographic activity. Stimulation of the lateral gastrocnemius-soleus nerve completely resets the tremor, again suggesting a reflex origin.