Influence of initial posture on posturo-kinetic co-ordination in the cat

The influence of postural support on posturo-kinetic co-ordination has been studied with a model of movement consisting of limb flexion induced by stimulation of the motor cortex in chronically implanted cats. To more easily quantify the responses by measuring the vertical forces exerted at the level of the four limbs, only weak stimuli were used, mainly triggering isometric motor activity. The aim of the study was to analyse the influence on the motor responses of various postural supports leading to a weight distribution between the limbs which differs from the normal situation. Three kinds of initial posture were tested. The first was obtained by directing the head of the cat to the left or to the right. The second type consisted in raising one or two of the platforms supporting the limbs. The third was obtained by adding a load to one of the limbs. The main results established in these conditions were the following: The latencies of the beginning of the movement and its associated postural adjustment, as revealed by the onset of force changes, were independent of the initial postural situation. Whatever the initial weight distribution, the amplitudes of force variations induced by given intensities of cortical stimulation were generally constant, though small variations of amplitude were noted in some cases. When there were changes in the response amplitudes, all four limbs were generally affected. The effect was observed whatever the limb concerned by modification of the support. This not only means that the postural responses depend on the amplitude of the movement but also that the amplitude of the movement itself may be modified according to perturbations affecting the postural limbs. Comparison of the present data with previous results leads to the hypothesis that a postural reference is taken into account in the determination of amplitudes of responses to cortical stimulation.