POST-TETANIC POTENTIATION OF POLYSYNAPTIC REFLEXES OF THE SPINAL CORD

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Abstract
Repetitive stimulation of dorsal roots in spinal cats produces a post-tetanic potentiation of 15-25 seconds duration of the polysynaptic reflex recorded from the corresponding ventral roots. This effect can be obtained with tetani of 10 seconds duration and frequencies as low as 25/second, and is relatively unaffected by further increases in frequency. Such post-tetanic changes are obtained on stimulation of tetanized or neighboring dorsal rootlets, and the characteristics of the reflex changes are usually similar in both rootlets. Post-tetanic changes are often predominant in early polysynaptic peaks. It is concluded that some of changes underlying post-tetanic potentiation of polysynaptic reflexes take place in interneurons. Differences between post-tetanic potentiation of monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes, and the similarities of the 2 processes, are discussed.

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