Rhythmical Discharges Recorded from Cervical and Trunk Muscle Nerves Produced by Stimulation of Mesencephalic Locomotor Region (MLR) in the Decerebrated Cat

Abstract

This experiment investigated the effects of mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) stimulation on cervical and trunk motoneurons in decerebrated cats. The experiments were performed on 28 adult cats (2.1-3.9 kg) of either sex. Stimulation of MLR produced the rhythmical discharge of muscle nerves of the splenius (SP), the longissimus lumborum (LL) and the obliquus externus abdominis (OEA). There was a close relationship between rhythmical discharge of SP, LL or OEA muscle nerve and hindlimb muscle nerve. This fact suggests that rhythmical discharges of cervical and trunk muscle nerves relate to locomotion.