Spinal locomotor activity in acutely spinalized cats induced by intrathecal application of noradrenaline

In this study we present a method of intrathecal drug administration in the acute spinal cat. A thin tube introduced into the subarachnoid space below the spinal cord was used for local drug administration. Noradrenaline reduced short-latency and provoked long-latency reflexes following high threshold afferent stimulation. Topical application of noradrenaline to the spinal cord was also able to induce and maintain locomotion. Our results strengthen the notion that noradrenergic systems play an important role in motor control. In addition, the present report introduces a protocol in the acute spinal cat, which combine the benefits associated with direct application of drugs as used in vitro experiments with the advantages of using the well investigated in vivo cat spinal cord preparation.