Activity changes in nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis in relation to skilled forelimb movement in rats

Adult hooded rats were trained to reach for food pellets into a narrow plexiglass tube and the movement of the preferred forelimb was photo-electrically detected. Multiple unit activity (MUA) or single unit activity in n. reticularis gigantocellularis (NGC) was recorded during reaching. Depression of MUA was observed about the onset of the forepaw movement and lasted during its execution. There was a correlation between MUA changes and the depression of activity of individual neurons observed in a part of NGC.