Spared-root deafferentation of a cat's hindlimb: hierarchical regulation of pathways mediating recovery of motor behavior

摘要: Previous studies showed that after complete hindlimb deafferentation in cats, the ipsilateral descending pathways mediated recovery of overground, goal-directed locomotion and accurate placement deafferented limb. In present study deafferentations sparing one dorsal root (L6) were performed to see if systems would still be responsible for recovery. The partially is initially impaired postural reflexes during but considerable occurs. A similar pattern severe impairment subsequent observed cats which only lesion L1 hemisection. When a hemisection added 6 months later chronic spared-root (from latter lesion) temporarily reversed animals recover again fashion alone. Since there no overground when incomplete, apparently are not maintaining spared as they all cut. results suggest competitive or hierarchical control over residual may regulate motor function.