Proportions of endpoint force pattern types obtained via intraspinal microstimulation in chronically spinalized cats are dependent on sensorimotor training

Abstract

In the spinal intact cat, four typical end-point force patterns are obtained with intraspinal stimulation of the lumbar cord. The types and the proportions of the patterns found were examined in chronically spinalized cats receiving neuroregenerative transplants and/or sensorimotor training. In all groups tested, there was a departure from the frequencies at which each of the patterns was expressed by microstimulation in spinal intact cats. In trained animals, the four patterns found in spinal intact animals were obtained, in addition to two novel fields. However, in untrained animals primarily flexion responses were obtained. These results suggest that sensorimotor training has an important influence on the reorganization of spinal circuits in the chronically injured cord