Abstract

To investigate spinal mechanisms of control of locomotion by the pyramidal system, we made intracellular recording from forelimb flexor motoneurons, and analyzed excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by stimulation of the medullary pyramid during forelimb fictive locomotion in immobilized, decerebrate cats. We observed that (1) pyramidal stimulation evoked disynaptic EPSPs, (2) which were much bigger in the locomotor state than in the resting state, and that (3) the pyramidal EPSPs were rhythmically modulated, so that the facilitation occurred in the flexor-active phase. Last-order neurons mediating pyramidal effects presumably receive rhythmic input from the spinal locomotor network.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.