Analysis of reaching in the rat by the continuous movement monitoring, utilizing the law of magnetic induction.

Successful and unsuccessful reaching attempts in rats were analysed with the aim of resolving the question of the programming of reaching movement. The course of movement was monitored continuously by a method based on the law of magnetic induction. The study of reaching showed that the forelimb extension had the same time course characteristics in both cases of reaching attempts and displayed features of preprogrammed ballistic movement. The course of the consecutive phases (grasping, forelimb flexion) showed differences between successful and unsuccessful attempts and also between individual successful attempts. The variability of the course of grasping and forelimb flexion indicates that a peripheral feedback participates in regulation of its performance and that the information on grasping the pellet is decisive for the subsequent performance of reaching. Reaching as a whole cannot be considered as a preprogrammed ballistic movement, but some of its components correspond to this pattern.