Different forms of impairment of the fore-hindlimb coordination after partial spinal lesions in cats

Effects of large low thoracic (T10-T11) partial spinal lesions involving either the ventral quadrants of the spinal cord and, to a different extent the dorsolateral funiculi, or different extent of the lateral funiculi and/or the dorsal columns, on the fore-hindlimb coordination were examined in cats walking overground at moderate speeds. In both groups of operated cats, except those in which the lesion was essentially confined to dorsal columns, three different forms of impairment of fore-hindlimb coordination were observed, depending on the extent of lesion: (1) a change of locomotion towards pacing with preservation of the equality rhythms in the fore- and the hindlimbs; (2) episodes of fore- and hindlimb rhythm dissociation and (3) a permanent dissociation of the fore- and hindlimb rhythms. A comparison of the results obtained in these two groups of operated cats points to the more important role played by the lateral funiculi, than by other parts of the spinal white matter, in controlling the fore-hindlimb coordination in cats.