Multi-segmental and generalized suppression of postural muscle tone evoked by stimulating the dorsal tegmental field and the medial pontine reticular formation in acute decerebrate cats

Abstract

In acute decerebrate cat, stimulation of the dorsal tegmental field (DTF) of the caudal pons along its midline and the medial pontine reticular formation (mPRF) evokes generalized suppression of postural muscle tone. In this study, the effects of stimulation of the DTF area were compared with those evoked by stimulating the mPRF unilaterally or bilaterally. By stimulating the mPRF bilaterally, simultaneous suppression of tonic activities in the neck, lumbar back, forelimb and hindlimb muscles, bilaterally, was evoked as that evoked by stimulating the DTF area alone.