Personalized Alpha-Motoneuron Pool Models Driven by Neural Data Encode the Mechanisms Controlling Rate of Force Development

Abstract

The central nervous system employs distinct motor control strategies depending on task demands. Accordingly, the activity of alpha-motoneuron (MN) pools innervating skeletal muscle fibers is modulated based on muscle force and rate of force development (RFD). In human subjects, biophysical MN models enable inferring in vivo the neural processes (e.g., synaptic input, activity of the entire MN pool, etc.) underlying this modulation, which are otherwise challenging to measure experimentally. Due to unique neurophysiological characteristics of individuals, personalizing these models is essential to study motor control in humans. Therefore, this work studied the mechanisms involved in the modulation of RFD using person-specific MN pool models driven by in vivo common synaptic input estimates (i.e., derived from surface high-density electromyography). Specifically, we assessed how in vivo MN activity changed across RFD and muscle force. This included modulation of recruitment and rate coding in the complete MN pool, as well as model-based estimates of excitatory synaptic gains (Δ IF). We found RFD-specific changes in MN activity associated to changes in Δ IF. Moreover, we showed that MN pool models driven by RFD-specific Δ IFs reproduced in vivo MN firing features and associated force profiles at different RFDs. Altogether, this work represents a step towards modelling the mechanisms of force generation in humans and creating person-specific models of the spinal circuitry. This will open a window for studying in vivo human neuromechanics and motor restoring interventions.