Contribution of cutaneous inputs from the hindpaw to the control of locomotion. II. Spinal cats.

Contribution of cutaneous inputs from the hindpaw to the control of locomotion : 2 . Spinal cats

The goal of these experiments was to define the contribution of hindpaw cutaneous inputs in the expression of spinal locomotion in cats. In 3 cats, some (n=1) or all (n=2) cutaneous nerves were cut bilaterally at ankle level before spinalisation. This denervation caused small deficits that were gradually compensated as reported in the companion paper (Bouyer and Rossignol, 2003a). After spinali...

. Bouyer and S . Rossignol Control of Locomotion . I . Intact Cats Contribution of Cutaneous Inputs From the Hindpaw to the

Contribution of cutaneous inputs from the hindpaw to the control of locomotion. I. Intact cats.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of hindpaw cutaneous feedback in the control of locomotion, by cutting some (in one cat) or all (in 2 cats) cutaneous nerves bilaterally at ankle level. Kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) recordings were obtained before and for several weeks after denervation during level and incline (15 degrees up and down) treadmill walking. Ladder walking an...

Asymmetric changes in cutaneous reflexes after a partial spinal lesion and retention following spinalization during locomotion in the cat.

Locomotion involves dynamic interactions between the spinal cord, supraspinal signals, and peripheral sensory inputs. After incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), interactions are disrupted, and remnant structures must optimize function to maximize locomotion. We investigated if cutaneous reflexes are altered following a unilateral partial spinal lesion and whether changes are retained within spi...

Changes in corticospinal efficacy contribute to the locomotor plasticity observed after unilateral cutaneous denervation of the hindpaw in the cat.

We used microwire electrodes chronically implanted into the hindlimb representation of the motor cortex as well as into the pyramidal tract to test the hypothesis that the corticospinal system contributes to the locomotor plasticity that is observed after cutaneous denervation of the cat hindpaw. A total of 23 electrodes implanted into the motor cortex in three cats trained to walk on a treadmi...