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The After-Contraction as a Measure of the “Inhibitory Process”: A Preliminary Report

The After-Contraction as a Measure of the “Inhibitory Process”: A Preliminary Report Abstract Introduction The after-contraction is an old parlor trick of children which has been described many times as having interesting physiological and psychiatric implications. Although it is a difficult phenomenon to describe, it is easy enough to demonstrate. It is usually performed by abducting the stiffened arm against an immovable object, such as a table or wall. The appropriate muscles of the shoulders are contracted isometrically without movement; the subject is then requested to relax and to step away from the restraining object. In most cases the arm will then involuntarily “float up” into the air toward the horizontal position with a floating sensation.This involuntary movement, which is a continuation of the originally intended movement, usually persists for 10 to 15 seconds. It may be demonstrated in almost any muscle group of the body, including the muscles of the hand, leg, or eye. It is ap References 1. Bernstein, S.: A Physiological Evaluation of Psychiatric Patients , J. Mt. Sinai Hosp. New York 24:14, 1957. 2. Bernstein, S.: Serial Observations on the Physiological and Psychological Changes in Patients Reacting with a Depression to Reserpine , J. Mt. Sinai Hosp. New York 24:89, 1957. 3. French, J. D.; Hernández-Peón, R., and Livingston, R. B.: Projections from Cortex to Cephalic Brain Stem (Reticular Formation) in Monkey , J. Neurophysiol. 18:74, 1955. 4. French, J. D., and Magoun, H. W.: Effects of Chronic Lesions in Central Cephalic Brain Stem of Monkeys , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 68-591, 1952. 5. French, J. D.; Verzeano, M., and Magoun, H. W.: An Extralemniscal Sensory System in the Brain , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 69:505, 1953. 6. French, J. D., von Ameřongen, F. K., and Magoun, H. W.: An Activating System in Brain Stem of Monkey , A.M.A. Neurol. & Psychiat. 68:577, 1952. 7. Funkenstein, D. H.; Greenblatt, M., and Solomon, H. C.: Autonomic Nervous System Changes Following Electric Shock Treatment , J. Nerv. & Ment. Dis. 108:409, 1948. 8. Funkenstein, D. H.; Greenblatt, M., and Solomon, H. C.: A Test Which Predicts the Clinical Effects of Electric Shock Treatment on Schizophrenic Patients , Am. J. Psychiat. 106:889, 1950. 9. Funkenstein, D. H.; Greenblatt, M., and Solomon, H. C.: Autonomic Changes Paralleling Psychologic Changes in Mentally Ill Patients , J. Nerv. & Ment. Dis. 114:1, 1951. 10. Funkenstein, D. H.; Greenblatt, M., and Solomon, H. C.: An Autonomic Nervous System Test of Prognostic Significance in Relation to Electroshock Treatment , Psychosom. Med. 14:347, 1952. 11. Funkenstein, D. H. Greenblatt, M.,M.,d Solomon, H. C. C.: Nor-Epinephrine-liked EpiEpinephrine-likebstances in Psychotic and PsyPsychochoneurotictients , Am. J. PsyPsychiat. 108:652, 1952. 12. Green, J. D.,D.,d ArdArduini, A.: Hippocampal Electrical Activity in Arousal , J. Neurophysiol. :17:533,1954. 13. Jasper, H. H.; Ajmone-Marsan, C., and Stoll, J.: Symposium on the Brain and Mind: Corticofugal Projections to the Brain Stem , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol.& Psychiat. 67:155,1952. 14. Li, C. L. L.; Jasper, H., and Henderson, L., Jr.: Effect of Arousal Mechanisms on Various Forms of Abnormality in the Electroencephalogram , Electroencephalog. & Clin. Neurophysiol. 54:513, 1952. 15. Lindsley, D. B.; Bowden, J. W., and Magoun, H. W.: Effect upon the EEG of Acute Injury to the Brain Stem Activating System , Electroencephalog.&Clin. Neurophysiol. 1:475, 1949. 16. Linn,L.: Psychological Implications of the “Activating System,” Am. J. Psychiat. 110:61, 1953. 17. Magoun,H. W.: Caudal and Cephalic Influences the Brain Stem Reticular Formation , Physiol. Rev. 30:459,1950. 18. Magoun, H. W.: The Ascending Reticular Activating System, in Patterns of Organization in the Central Nervous System , A. Res. Nerv. & Ment. Dis. Proc. 30:480, 1950. 19. Magoun, H. W.: An Ascending Reticular Activating System in the Brain Stem , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 67:145, 1952. 20. Marrazzi, A. S.: Effects of Drugs on Metabolism and Physiologic Activity of Brain (Cholinergic Excitation and Adrenergic Inhibition Common to Peripheral and Central Synapses), in Milbank Memorial Fund, 27th Annual Conference of the Fund on the Biology of Mental Health and Disease, New York, Paul B. Hoeber, Inc. (Medical Book Department of Harper & Brothers), 1952, pp. 376-384. 21. Moruzzi, G., and Magoun, H. W.: Brain Stem Reticular Formation and Activation of the EEG , Electroencephalog. & Clin. Neurophysiol. 1:455, 1949. 22. Rinaldi, F., and Himwich, H. E.: Alerting Responses and Actions of Atropine and Cholinergic Drugs , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 73:387, 1955. 23. Rinaldi, F., and Himwich, H. E.: Cholinergic Mechanism Involved in Function of Mesodiencephalic Activating System , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 73:396, 1955. 24. Sapirstein, M. R.: Characteristics of After-Discharge Discharge Following Cortical Stimulation in the Monkey , Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 46:665, 1941. 25. Sapirstein, M. R.: Effect of Anxiety on Human After-Discharges: Psychosomatic Study of After-Contraction , Psychosom. Med. 10:145, 1948. 26. Sapirstein, M. R.; Herman, R. C., and Wallace, G. B.: Effect of Certain Drugs on After-Contraction , Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. 35:163, 1936. 27. Sapirstein, M. R.; Herman, R. C., and Wallace, G. B.: A Study of After-Contraction , Am. J. Physiol. 119:549, 1937. 28. Sapirstein, M. R.; Herman, R. C., and Wechsler, I. S.: The Mechanism of After-Contraction , Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 40:300, 1938. 29. Starzl, T. E., and Whitlock, D. G.: Diffuse Thalamic Projection System in Monkey , J. Neurophysiol. 15:449, 1952. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png A.M.A. Archives of General Psychiatry American Medical Association

The After-Contraction as a Measure of the “Inhibitory Process”: A Preliminary Report

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References (31)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1960 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0375-8532
DOI
10.1001/archpsyc.1960.03590070112014
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Abstract

Abstract Introduction The after-contraction is an old parlor trick of children which has been described many times as having interesting physiological and psychiatric implications. Although it is a difficult phenomenon to describe, it is easy enough to demonstrate. It is usually performed by abducting the stiffened arm against an immovable object, such as a table or wall. The appropriate muscles of the shoulders are contracted isometrically without movement; the subject is then requested to relax and to step away from the restraining object. In most cases the arm will then involuntarily “float up” into the air toward the horizontal position with a floating sensation.This involuntary movement, which is a continuation of the originally intended movement, usually persists for 10 to 15 seconds. It may be demonstrated in almost any muscle group of the body, including the muscles of the hand, leg, or eye. It is ap References 1. Bernstein, S.: A Physiological Evaluation of Psychiatric Patients , J. Mt. Sinai Hosp. New York 24:14, 1957. 2. Bernstein, S.: Serial Observations on the Physiological and Psychological Changes in Patients Reacting with a Depression to Reserpine , J. Mt. Sinai Hosp. New York 24:89, 1957. 3. French, J. D.; Hernández-Peón, R., and Livingston, R. B.: Projections from Cortex to Cephalic Brain Stem (Reticular Formation) in Monkey , J. Neurophysiol. 18:74, 1955. 4. French, J. D., and Magoun, H. W.: Effects of Chronic Lesions in Central Cephalic Brain Stem of Monkeys , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 68-591, 1952. 5. French, J. D.; Verzeano, M., and Magoun, H. W.: An Extralemniscal Sensory System in the Brain , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 69:505, 1953. 6. French, J. D., von Ameřongen, F. K., and Magoun, H. W.: An Activating System in Brain Stem of Monkey , A.M.A. Neurol. & Psychiat. 68:577, 1952. 7. Funkenstein, D. H.; Greenblatt, M., and Solomon, H. C.: Autonomic Nervous System Changes Following Electric Shock Treatment , J. Nerv. & Ment. Dis. 108:409, 1948. 8. Funkenstein, D. H.; Greenblatt, M., and Solomon, H. C.: A Test Which Predicts the Clinical Effects of Electric Shock Treatment on Schizophrenic Patients , Am. J. Psychiat. 106:889, 1950. 9. Funkenstein, D. H.; Greenblatt, M., and Solomon, H. C.: Autonomic Changes Paralleling Psychologic Changes in Mentally Ill Patients , J. Nerv. & Ment. Dis. 114:1, 1951. 10. Funkenstein, D. H.; Greenblatt, M., and Solomon, H. C.: An Autonomic Nervous System Test of Prognostic Significance in Relation to Electroshock Treatment , Psychosom. Med. 14:347, 1952. 11. Funkenstein, D. H. Greenblatt, M.,M.,d Solomon, H. C. C.: Nor-Epinephrine-liked EpiEpinephrine-likebstances in Psychotic and PsyPsychochoneurotictients , Am. J. PsyPsychiat. 108:652, 1952. 12. Green, J. D.,D.,d ArdArduini, A.: Hippocampal Electrical Activity in Arousal , J. Neurophysiol. :17:533,1954. 13. Jasper, H. H.; Ajmone-Marsan, C., and Stoll, J.: Symposium on the Brain and Mind: Corticofugal Projections to the Brain Stem , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol.& Psychiat. 67:155,1952. 14. Li, C. L. L.; Jasper, H., and Henderson, L., Jr.: Effect of Arousal Mechanisms on Various Forms of Abnormality in the Electroencephalogram , Electroencephalog. & Clin. Neurophysiol. 54:513, 1952. 15. Lindsley, D. B.; Bowden, J. W., and Magoun, H. W.: Effect upon the EEG of Acute Injury to the Brain Stem Activating System , Electroencephalog.&Clin. Neurophysiol. 1:475, 1949. 16. Linn,L.: Psychological Implications of the “Activating System,” Am. J. Psychiat. 110:61, 1953. 17. Magoun,H. W.: Caudal and Cephalic Influences the Brain Stem Reticular Formation , Physiol. Rev. 30:459,1950. 18. Magoun, H. W.: The Ascending Reticular Activating System, in Patterns of Organization in the Central Nervous System , A. Res. Nerv. & Ment. Dis. Proc. 30:480, 1950. 19. Magoun, H. W.: An Ascending Reticular Activating System in the Brain Stem , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 67:145, 1952. 20. Marrazzi, A. S.: Effects of Drugs on Metabolism and Physiologic Activity of Brain (Cholinergic Excitation and Adrenergic Inhibition Common to Peripheral and Central Synapses), in Milbank Memorial Fund, 27th Annual Conference of the Fund on the Biology of Mental Health and Disease, New York, Paul B. Hoeber, Inc. (Medical Book Department of Harper & Brothers), 1952, pp. 376-384. 21. Moruzzi, G., and Magoun, H. W.: Brain Stem Reticular Formation and Activation of the EEG , Electroencephalog. & Clin. Neurophysiol. 1:455, 1949. 22. Rinaldi, F., and Himwich, H. E.: Alerting Responses and Actions of Atropine and Cholinergic Drugs , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 73:387, 1955. 23. Rinaldi, F., and Himwich, H. E.: Cholinergic Mechanism Involved in Function of Mesodiencephalic Activating System , A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 73:396, 1955. 24. Sapirstein, M. R.: Characteristics of After-Discharge Discharge Following Cortical Stimulation in the Monkey , Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 46:665, 1941. 25. Sapirstein, M. R.: Effect of Anxiety on Human After-Discharges: Psychosomatic Study of After-Contraction , Psychosom. Med. 10:145, 1948. 26. Sapirstein, M. R.; Herman, R. C., and Wallace, G. B.: Effect of Certain Drugs on After-Contraction , Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. 35:163, 1936. 27. Sapirstein, M. R.; Herman, R. C., and Wallace, G. B.: A Study of After-Contraction , Am. J. Physiol. 119:549, 1937. 28. Sapirstein, M. R.; Herman, R. C., and Wechsler, I. S.: The Mechanism of After-Contraction , Arch. Neurol. & Psychiat. 40:300, 1938. 29. Starzl, T. E., and Whitlock, D. G.: Diffuse Thalamic Projection System in Monkey , J. Neurophysiol. 15:449, 1952.

Journal

A.M.A. Archives of General Psychiatry – American Medical Association

Published: Jan 1, 1960

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