Splenius muscle activities induced by temporomandibular joint stimulation in rats

Note: You will need to copy and paste the URL in a browser window to view the abstract online.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6SYT-4MG6JX8-1&_user=10&_coverDate=04%2F02%2F2007&_alid=649217684&_rdoc=16&_fmt=summary&_orig=search&_cdi=4843&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=f&_ct=150&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=dc69cf910bbcf431b3ce76f82f84051e

You can view the abstract online. A subscription is required to view the full text or it can be purchased online.

Splenius muscle activities induced by temporomandibular joint stimulation in rats
Brain Research Bulletin
Volume 72, Issue 1, 2 April 2007, Pages 44-48

Masaki Kobayashi a, b, Tadachika Yabushita, a, Jorge L. Zeredo, b, Kazuo Toda, b and Kunimichi Soma, a
a - Orthodontic Science, Department of Orofacial Development and Function, Division of Oral Sciences, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
b - Division of Integrative Sensory Physiology, Department of Developmental and Reconstructive Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan

Received 2 February 2006; revised 26 October 2006; accepted 31 October 2006. Available online 1 December 2006.

Abstract
Recent studies show that temporomandibular joint disorders cause hyperalgesia and deficits in the postural control of cervical region. However, the effects of specific modalities of receptors in the temporomandibular joint area on these phenomena are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the neck muscle activities while natural mechanical stimulation was applied to the temporomandibular joint. Single motor unit activities were recorded bilaterally from the splenius muscles in 22 Wistar rats. Mechanical stimulation applied to the left temporomandibular joint elicited tonic discharges in the left or right splenius muscle. The mean threshold values for mechanical stimulation were 48.1 (±16.2 S.E.M.) and 54.1 mN (±16.3 S.E.M.) for left and right sides, respectively. It is suggested that the temporomandibular joint mechanoreceptors not only affect the motor unit activities of neck muscles, but also are concerned in the regulation of postural control of the head.

Corresponding author at: Orthodontic Science, Department of Orofacial Development and Function, Division of Oral Sciences, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan. Tel.: +81 3 5803 5528; fax: +81 3 5803 5528.

Copyright © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. ScienceDirect? is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V.