Activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales with handgrip force in humans
Tyler L. Danielson, Layla Gould, Jason M. DeFreitas, Rob J. MacLennan, Chelsea Ekstrand, Ron Borowsky, Jonathan P. Farthing, Justin W. Andrushko
Abstract
In this study, we used a task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm to show that activity in the pontine reticular nuclei scales linearly with increasing force during a handgrip task. These findings directly support recently proposed hypotheses that the reticulospinal tract may play an important role in modulating force production in humans.
Topics & Concepts
NeuroscienceReticular formationParamedian pontine reticular formationPsychologyAnatomyPhysical medicine and rehabilitationPhysicsMedicineStimulationMuscle activation and electromyography studiesNeuroscience and Neural EngineeringTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies