The postural reaction to the drop of a hindlimb support in the standing cat remains following sensorimotor cortical ablation

Abstract

The postural response to an unexpected drop of either hindlimb platform was studied in the freely standing cat. The vertical forces, the forelimb electromyographic (EMG) activities and the movement of the trunk were analysed. A stereotyped diagonal pattern of support was observed. The imposed unloading of one hindlimb was followed by unloading of the diagonally opposite forelimb and loading of the two other limbs. In the ipsilateral loaded forelimb, the force increase is preceded by an activation of the biceps and is concomitant with a triceps coactivation. In the contralateral unloaded forelimb, reciprocal changes of biceps (activation) and triceps (inhibition) were observed and preceded the force decrease. Lateral or vertical displacement or rotation of the vertebral column at the high thoracic level, as evidenced by movie recording, began no earlier than 100 ms after the hindlimb drop and thus followed the EMG changes. Unilateral sensorimotor cortex ablation had no effect on this pattern or on the latencies of forelimb myographic responses. These results suggest that the hindlimb drop triggers stereotyped forelimb EMG responses which are organized centrally and that these responses are not mediated via a sensorimotor cortical loop.