The human H and T reflex methodologies applied to the rat.

Electrical stimulations of the sciatic nerve were applied in rats awake to seek motor direct (M) or reflex (H) responses as in humans. Achilles tendon percussions were also applied to induce T reflexes. The responses were obtained, 3 times, in each leg of 12 rats and identified as M, H, T responses considering their latencies. The experiments also indicated a lateralization of the reflex activities since 70% of the rats presented significant higher reflexes in 1 leg. Mean reflex values were calculated taking into account this lateralization. Thus T and H reflex changes in the rat could provide an index of neuromuscular plasticity.