GAMMA-MOTONEURON DISCHARGE PATTERNS DURING FICTIVE LOCOMOTION IN THE DECEREBRATE CAT

Triceps surae gamma‐motoneurones were recorded during fictive locomotion in the paralysed high decerebrate cat. Two distinctive patterns of discharge were observed which were similar to those reported for static and dynamic gamma‐motoneurones during locomotion in the same preparation, but without paralysis (Murphy, Stein & Taylor, 1984). These results suggest that movement‐related afferent feedback is not essential for the generation of the basic patterns of static and dynamic gamma‐motoneurone activity during locomotion. The results are discussed in relation to the generation of alpha and gamma locomotor rhythms. © 1990 The Physiological Society