[Restructuring of the topical organization of the rat motor cortex after damage to the opposite hemisphere]

Abstract

Topical organization of the motor cortex was compared in outbred rats by the method of intracortical microstimulation in the norm and in different periods after unilateral partial decortication of the motor projection (MP) of the hind-leg. Stable state of the MPs of the fore- and hind-limbs was in the norm, and within their bounds there was an individual variability of MP zones of separate joints. After the operation, the reconstruction of the motor cortex organization in the opposite hemisphered appeared in later periods, in 5-7 months. Expansion was observed of the boundaries of the excitable area in caudal direction and reduction of the part of responses of the limbs distal muscles as compared to proximal ones and of the body muscles. 8-16 months after the operation, the reactions of axial muscles, including the ipsi- and bilateral ones, became more expressed.