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J Neurophysiol 100: 2158-2164, 2008. First published August 13, 2008; doi:10.1152/jn.90474.2008
0022-3077/08 $8.00
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Low-Alcohol Doses Reduce Common 10- to 15-Hz Input to Bilateral Leg Muscles During Quiet Standing

T. W. Boonstra1,2, M. Roerdink1, A. Daffertshofer1, B. van Vugt1, G. van Werven1 and P. J. Beek1

1Research Institute MOVE, Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and 2School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Submitted 15 April 2008; accepted in final form 10 August 2008

The effects of low doses of alcohol on neural synchronization in muscular activity were investigated in ten participants during quiet standing with eyes open or closed. We focused on changes in common input to bilateral motor unit pools as evident in surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings of lower leg extensor and flexor muscles. The extensor muscles exhibited bilateral synchronization in two distinct frequency bands (i.e., 0–5 and 10–15 Hz), whereas synchronization between flexor muscles was minimal. As expected, alcohol ingestion affected postural sway, yielding increased sway at higher blood-alcohol levels. Whereas vision affected bilateral synchronization only at 0–5 Hz, alcohol ingestion resulted in a progressive decrease of synchronization at 10–15 Hz between the EMG activities of the extensor muscles. The decrease in common bilateral input is most likely related to reduced reticulospinal activity with alcohol ingestion.

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: T. W. Boonstra, School of Psychiatry, Black Dog Institute Building, Hospital Road, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia (E-mail: t.boonstra{at}unsw.edu.au)






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