Differences in persistent inward current contribution to spinal motor neuron behavior between early morning and late afternoon
Abstract
Although human neuromuscular performance often peaks in the late afternoon, this pattern may not arise solely from peripheral mechanisms. This study provides evidence for a modulation in the contribution of persistent inward currents (PICs) to motor neuron discharge behavior between early morning and late afternoon. PIC-related estimates indicate a modest enhancement of motor neuron excitability in the late afternoon, likely explained by a change in the inhibitory-excitatory balance rather than by changes in neuromodulatory drive.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Muscle activation and electromyography studies
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
Spinal Cord Injury Research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Applied Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Volume
- 140
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 479–488
- Publication date
- 7 January 2026
- Language
- EN