[Structural organization and connections of the locomotor strip of the medulla oblongata of the cat]

Abstract

The bulbar locomotor strip was studied by means of the horse-radish peroxidase technique. HRP microinjections were carried out under functional control of the evoked treadmill locomotion. The experiments have failed to reveal a special cellular column along the locomotor strip and the existence of such a strip as a separate structural formation is questioned. In fact the bulbar locomotor strip may conceal the spinal trigeminal tract and its nucleus. It is postulated that nonspecific afferent activation of the brainstem reticular formation plays a significant role in the locomotion initiation.