A numeric study of the noise-induced tremor in a mathematical model of the stretch reflex

J Theor Biol. 2003 May 7;222(1):99-115. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5193(03)00016-x.

Abstract

A mathematical model of the stretch reflex for the cat soleus muscle is presented. The time-delay differential equations of the model are solved using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm, introducing a Gaussian-noise term to simulate the environmental noise. The muscle response dynamics are then studied under various levels of average muscle activation. Finally, the feasibility of explaining the so-called physiological tremor from the properties of the stretch reflex mechanisms is discussed by comparing our results with reported experimental evidence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Models, Biological*
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Reflex, Stretch / physiology*
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Tremor / physiopathology*