Neuron responses of the 'locomotor strip' in the lower brain stem of the cat

Synaptic responses of single neurons in the 'locomotor strip' were recorded extracellularly. Neurons of the rostral part of the strip produced short-latency responses to stimulation of the mesencephalic 'locomotor region'. Neurons of the caudal part of the strip responded to microstimulation of other sites of the strip, rostral ones included. When the distance between the site of stimulation and a neuron along the strip was less than 2-3 mm, short-latency (1.2-1.6 ms) responses were recorded. Thresholds and latencies grew with the distance. Polysynaptic responses with a 3-4 ms latency could be potentiated when repetitive (30-40 pulses per s) stimulation was used instead of a single stimulus. The results suggest that axons in the 'locomotor strip' are oriented in a rostrocaudal direction and give off collaterals to neighbour neurons. The 'locomotor strip' can be an integrative centre 'intercalated' between the rostral centers of the brain and the spinal cord.