W. Willis, J. C. Willis, M. Pocock
Mar 1, 1968
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Experimental neurology
Abstract
Abstract The action of bulbocapnine upon the flexion reflex was studied in spinal cats. Low doses produced only small changes in the flexion reflex. The change could be either an increase or a decrease. High doses of bulbocapnine generally increased the flexion reflex. The increase was due both to a repetitive firing of individual motoneurons and to an increase in the number of motoneurons responding to the afferent volley. There was no evidence of a close relationship between the changes in the size of the flexion reflex and alterations in the systemic blood pressure. In some animals, high doses of bulbocapnine also produced an increase in monosynaptic reflexes of either flexor or extensor motoneurons or both. The increase could bring the monosynaptic reflex to or above the control level. As reported previously, low doses of the drug almost invariably depressed monosynaptic reflexes.