[Relation between parameters of efferent activity and limb position during fictive scratching in the decerebrate cat]

The influence of tonic afferent inflow conditioned by ipsilateral hindlimb position on the spinal generator of scratching efferent activity parameters was investigated in immobilized decerebrated cats. When the afferent inflow was absent (after the hindlimb deafferentation) strong correlation between the motor activity parameters of successive "scratch" cycles was observed. In case of the intact afferentation this correlation was somewhat weaker and decreased with shifting the hindlimb from the aimed position to overaimed or deflecting backward. The discovered statistically significant correlations between the parameters of different motor activity phases and their dependence on the hindlimb position are organized in such a way that they can provide stability of the aimed position of the hindlimb carrying out oscillatory movements. According to the parameters of the efferent activity and their correlation type, the hindlimb deafferentation is most similar to the aimed position of the hindlimb.