[Generators of walking movements in humans: spinal mechanisms of their activation]

The paper is focused on spinal generation of walking movements in patients afflicted with loss of supraspinal control consequent to back trauma. The author cites literature on methods of initiation of walking movements with pharmacological and proprioceptive stimulation. On his own experimental investigations with epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal marrow dorsal surface he proves existence of walking generators in the human. There is evidence that the walking pattern in extensors is formed through amplitude modulation of monosynaptic reflexes, whereas in flexors it is established through switching of the reflex paths from the monosynaptic reflex to the polysynaptic neuron network. Investigations of the functional deafferentation of lower extremities showed that walking movements as a result of epidural stimulation are intraspinal by origin and adjusted by way of peripheral feedback. A hypothetical sequence of activation of walking generators through the propriospinal system of dorsolateral and ventrilateral funiculi has been put forward.