Abstract
To clarify the role of somatosensory information from the lower limbs of humans in triggering and scaling the magnitude of automatic postural responses, patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and agematched normal controls were exposed to posterior horizontal translations of their support surface. Translation velocity and amplitude were varied to test the patients' ability to scale their postural responses to the magnitude of the translation. Postural response timing was quantified by measuring the onset latencies of three shank, thigh, and trunk muscles and response magnitude was quantified by measuring torque at the support surface. Neuropathy patients showed the same distalto-proximal muscle activation pattern as normal subjects, but the electromyogram (EMG) onsets in patients were delayed by 20–30 ms at all segments, suggesting an important role for somatosensory information from the lower limb in triggering centrally organized postural synergies. Patients showed an impaired ability to scale torque magnitude to both the velocity and amplitude of surface translations, suggesting that somatosensory information from the legs may be utilized for both direct sensory feedback and use of prior experience in scaling the magnitude of automatic postural responses.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allum JHJ, Honegger F, Schicks H (1994) The influence of a bilateral peripheral vestibular deficit on postural synergies. J Vest Res 4:49–70
Diener HC, Dichgans J, Guschlbauer B, Mau H (1984a) The significance of proprioception on postural stabilization as assessed by ischemia. Brain Res 296:103–109
Diener HC, Dichgans J, Hulser PJ, Buettner UW, Bacher M, Guschlbauer B (1984b) The significance of delayed long-loop responses to ankle displacement for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 57:336–342
Diener HC, Horak FB, Nashner LM (1988) Influence of stimulus parameters on human postural responses. J Neurophysiol 59:1888–1905
Dietz V (1992) Human neuronal control of automatic functional movements: interaction between central programs and afferent input. Physiol Rev 72:33–69
Enbom H, Magnusson M, Pyykko I, Schalen L (1988) Presentation of a posturographic test with loading of the proprioceptive system. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 455:58–61
Horak FB, Diener HC (1994) Cerebellar control of postural scaling and central set. J Neurophysiol 72:479–493
Horak FB, Diener HC, Nashner LM (1989) Influence of central set on human postural responses. J Neurophysiol 62:841–853
Horak FB, Nashner LM, Diener HC (1990) Postural strategies associated with somatosensory and vestibular loss. Exp Brain Res 82:167–177
Inglis JT, Macpherson JM (1992) Postural responses following bilateral labyrinthectomy. In: Woollacott M, Horak FB (eds) Posture and gait: control mechanisms, vol 1. Univ. of Oregon Press, pp 268–271
Inglis JT, Horak FB, Shupert CS, Jones-Rycewicz C (1993) Reactive and predictive scaling of postural responses in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Soc Neurosci Abstr 19:545
Johansson RS, Hager C, Backstrom L (1992) Somatosensory control of precision grip during unpredictable pulling loads. III. Impairments during digital anesthesia. Exp Brain Res 89:209–213
Mackel R (1989) Properties of cutaneous afferents in diabetic neuropathy. Brain 112:1359–1376
Macpherson JM, Rushmer DS, Dunbar DC (1986) Postural responses in the cat to unexpected rotations of the supporting surface: evidence for a centrally generated synergic organization. Exp Brain Res 62:152–160
Magnusson M, Enbom H, Johansson R, Pyykko I (1990a) Significance of pressor input from the human feet in anterior-posterior postural control. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 110:182–188
Magnusson M, Enbom H, Johansson R, Wiklund A (1990b) Significance of pressor input from the human feet in lateral postural control. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 110:321–327
Maki BE, Whitelaw RS (1993) Influence of expectation and arousal on center-of-pressure responses to transient postural perturbations. J Vest Res 3:25–39
Pratt CA, Horak FB, Herndon RM (1992) Differential effects of somatosensory and motor system deficits on postural dyscontrol in multiple sclerosis patients. In: Woollacott MH, Horak FB (eds) Posture and gait: control mechanisms, vol 2. Univ. of Oregon Press, Eugene, pp 118–121
Roll JP, Vedel JP, Roll R (1989) Eye, head and skeletal muscle spindle feedback in the elaboration of body references. Prog Brain Res 80:113–123
Thomas PK, Brown MJ (1987) Diabetic polyneuropathy. In Dyck PJ, Thomas PK, Asbury A, Winegrad A, Porte D (eds) Diabetic neuropathy. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 56–65
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Inglis, J.T., Horak, F.B., Shupert, C.L. et al. The importance of somatosensory information in triggering and scaling automatic postural responses in humans. Exp Brain Res 101, 159–164 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00243226
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00243226