[Activity of interneurons of the lumbar region of the spinal cord during fictive locomotion of thalamic cats]

Abstract

Impulse activity of lumbar interneurons was recorded extracellularly during fictious locomotion of thalamic cats. Neurons whose activity was modulated in the rhythm of fictitious locomotion were revealed in the lateral intermediate zone and in the lateral ventral born. 41.2% of these neurons were mainly activated at the phase of "flexion", 48.5%--at the phase of "extension" and 10.3%--at both phases. Neurons with tonically increasing or decreasing activity during rhythmic efferent discharges and neurons whose activity did not change during fictitious locomotion were also observed. All these types of neurons were similarly activated during late discharges in efferent nerves. But in this case the depth of modulation of neuronal activity was lower than during fictitious locomotion. Afferent inputs to the recorded interneurons were also investigated. The neuronal organization of the spinal locomotor generator is discussed on the basis of the obtained data.