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Neck Motor Unit Activities Induced by Inputs from Periodontal Mechanoreceptors in Rats

¹ Orthodontic Science, Department of Orofacial Development and Function, Division of Oral Health Science and
² Section of Cognitive Neurobiology, Department of Maxillofacial Biology, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan; and
³ Department of Physiology, Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, Nagasaki 852-8588, Japan;

Correspondence: *corresponding author, jorge.orts{at}tmd.ac.jp

Clinical evidence suggests that head movements may be coupled with oro-facial functions, which are predominantly controlled by somatosensory inputs from the oro-facial area. However, the effects of specific modalities of sensory inputs on the neck muscles' motor activity are still unclear. In the present study, natural pressure stimulation was applied to the rat's upper first molars, while motor unit electromyographic activity was recorded from the dorsal neck splenius muscle. During the hold phase of pressure stimulation, clear tonic discharges were elicited in the splenius muscles on both sides. Mean threshold values were 622.3 mN (± 19.6 SEM, n = 39) and 496.8 mN (± 26.4 SEM, n = 43) for ipsi- and contralateral sides, respectively (p < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Analysis of our data suggests that periodontal inputs may play an important role in controlling the motor activity of neck muscles, in addition to its well-known coordination of the masticatory function.

Key Words: mechanoreceptors • periodontium • electromyography • neck muscles • rat

Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 81, No. 1, 39-42 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/154405910208100109


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