Summary
The role of the sensorimotor cortex in the postural adjustments associated with conditioned paw lifting movements was investigated in the cat. Cats were trained to stand quietly on four strain gauge equipped platforms and to perform a lift-off movement with one forelimb when a conditioned tone was presented. The parameters recorded were the vertical forces exerted by the paws on each platform, the lateral and antero-posterior displacements of rods implanted on the T2, T12, L5 vertebrae as well as their rotation, and the EMG of triceps and biceps of both forelimbs. Before lesion, the postural adjustment consisted of a “nondiagonal” pattern where the CG was displaced laterally inside the triangle formed by the three remaining supporting limbs. Here a lateral bending of the thoracic column toward the supporting forelimb could be observed. The associated EMG pattern consisted of an early activation of the triceps lateral head in the moving limb which was probably responsible for the body displacement toward the opposite side, and a late biceps activation associated with the lift. In the supporting forelimb, a coactivation of the biceps and triceps was usually present. After contralateral sensorimotor lesion, the conditioned lifting movements were lost for 4–15 days after the lesion, before being subsequently recovered. The same lateral CG displacement and bending of the back was seen after lesion as before, which indicates that the goal of postural adjustment was preserved. However, the means of reaching it were modified. In most of the intact animals, the CG displacement was achieved in one step, whereas in the animals with lesions, the displacement was made either according to a slow ramp mode or in a discontinuous manner involving several steps. The mechanisms responsible for this disturbance are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alstermark B, Sasaki S (1983) Electromyographic activity in fast and slow elbow extensors during a visually guided forelimb movement in cats. Brain Res 259: 155–158
Amassian VE, Ross R, Wertenbaker C, Weiner H (1972) Cerebellothalamocortical interrelations in contact placing and other movements in cats. In Frigyesi T, Rinvik E, Yahr MD (eds) Corticothalamic projections and sensorimotor activities. Raven Press, New York, pp 395–444
Bard P (1933) Studies on the cerebral cortex. I. Localized control of placing and hopping reactions in the cat and their normal management by small cortical remnants. Arch Neurol Psychiat 30: 40–74
Birjukova EV, Dufosse M, Frolov AA, Ioffe ME, Massion J (1988) Biomechanical model of quadruped with flexible spine. Proc 7th Congr ISEK
Brooks VB (1985) How are “Move” and “Hold” programs matched? In: Bloedel JR, Dichgans J, Precht W (eds) Cerebellar functions. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 1–23
Burlachkova NI, Ioffé ME (1979) The analysis of the postural adjustment accompanying a local movement. Agressologie 20B: 141–142
Collates TC, Edgerton VR, Smith JL, Botterman BR (1977) Contractile properties and fiber type composition of flexors and extensors of elbow joint in cat: implications for motor control. J Neurophysiol 49: 1292–1300
Coulmance M, Gahery Y, Massion J, Swett JE (1989) The placing reaction in the standing cat: a model for the study of posture and movement. Exp Brain Res 37: 365–381
Di Fabio RP (1983) Postural supporting mechanisms during spontaneous single limb movement in the cat. Neurosci Lett 40: 133–138
Dufosse M, Macpherson JM, Massion J (1982) Biomechanical and electromyographical comparison of two postural supporting mechanisms in the cat. Exp Brain Res 45: 38–44
Dufosse M, Macpherson JM, Massion J, Sybirska E (1985) The postural reaction to the drop of a hindlimb support remains unchanged after sensorimotor cortical ablation. Neurosci Lett 55: 297–303
Frolov AA, Birjukova EV, Ioffe ME (1988) On the influence of movement kinematics on the support pressure pattern during postural adjustment of quadrupeds. In: Gurfinkel VS, Ioffé ME, Massion J, Roll J-P (eds) Stance and motion: facts and concepts. Plenum Press, New York
Gahery Y, Ioffé M, Massion J, Polit A (1980) The postural support of movement in cat and dog. Acta Neurobiol Exp 40: 741–756
Ioffé ME (1975) Cortico-spinal mechanisms of instrumental motor reactions. Nauka, Moscow, (in Russian)
Ioffé ME, Andreyev AE (1969) Inter-extremities coordination in local motor conditioned reactions of dogs. Zh Vysshen Nervnoi Deyat Pavlova 44: 393–403
Ioffé ME, Frolov AA, Gahery Y, Frolov AG, Coulmance M, Davydov VI (1982) Biomechanical study on the mechanisms of postural adjustment accompanying learned or induced limb movements in cats and dogs. Acta Neurobiol Exp 42: 469–482
Ioffé ME, Ivanova NG, Frolov AA, Birjukova EV, Kiseljova NV (1988) On the role of motor cortex in the learned rearrangement on postural coordination. In: Gurfinkel VS, Ioffé ME, Massion J, Roll J-P (eds) Stance and motion: facts and concepts. Plenum Press, New York
Massion J (1979) Role of motor cortex in postural adjustments associated with movements. In: Asanuma H, Wilson VJ (eds) Integration in the nervous system. Igaku-Shoin, Tokyo New York, pp 239–260
Massion J, Roll R, Swett JE (1981) Effect of sensorimotor cortical ablation on the placing reaction in the standing cat. Arch ltal Biol 119: 108–124
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Birjukova, E.V., Dufossé, M., Frolov, A.A. et al. Role of the sensorimotor cortex in postural adjustments accompanying a conditioned paw lift in the standing cat. Exp Brain Res 78, 588–596 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230246
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00230246