Changes in the discharge patterns of motor cortical neurones associated with volitional changes in stepping in the cat

Abstract

Extracellular recordings have been obtained from motor cortical neurones of cats walking along a horizontal ladder. We present responses obtained when the animal produced defined volitional changes in limb trajectory, and during different conditions of locomotion. Our results show substantial changes in discharge pattern of some cells under these different conditions. Encounters with displaced rungs produce marked changes in discharge pattern including some which precede foot contact and others graded to the magnitude and direction of displacement.