Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 240, Issue 2, 27 May 1982, Pages 353-356
Brain Research

Induction of hindlimb stepping movements in rats spinally transected as adults or as neonates

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(82)90235-9Get rights and content

Abstract

Rats were spinally transected as adults or as neonates. When their hindlimbs were held off the ground and tail pinch was applied, both groups of animals exhibited a strong tendency to step with alternating limbs. The most striking difference between the groups was in the rate of stepping, the neonatal spinals being significantly faster than the adult spinals. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence that adult-transected rats retain a degree of locomotion-related coordination.

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The research was supported by a USPHS Research Grant (HD-08933) to B. D. Sachs, and by a grant from the University of Connecticut Research Foundation.

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We extend special thanks to Benjamin Sachs and Michael Turvey for their comments on this manuscript.

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