Muscle Spindle Control during Locomotor Movements Generated by the Deafferented Spinal Cord

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Abstract
In acute spinalized (Th 12) cats, treated with dopa, curarized or with all lumbosacral dorsal roots transected, stepping patterns were elicited in the hindlimbs by continuous electrical stimulation of the dorsal roots. Single primary endings in dorsal root filaments or single .gamma. and .alpha. efferents in muscle nerve filaments from flexors and extensors were recorded together with the efferent nerve activity to various hindlimb muscles. There was a clear coactivation of the intra- and extrafusal system to the same muscle. The .alpha. efferent discharges typically started with a very short 1st interspike interval. There is a central spinal .alpha.-.gamma.-linkage for locomotion in the hindlimbs.