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Level of spinal cord lesion determines locomotor activity in spinal man

Authors :
Markus Wirz
Volker Dietz
Th. Erni
K. Nakazawa
Source :
Experimental brain research. 128(3)
Publication Year :
1999

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that coordinated stepping movements can be induced in patients with complete para-/tetraplegia, when they were standing on a moving treadmill with their body weight partially unloaded and external assistance. The aim of this study was to determine which part of the spinal cord generated the locomotor pattern. In patients with complete paraplegia due to lesions at different levels of the spinal cord, the locomotor pattern was compared with that of healthy subjects. Any similarities in electromyographic (EMG) activity of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles between the patients and healthy subjects were reflected by the analysis of the variation ratio and amplitudes of the EMG activity. It was found that the higher the level of spinal cord lesion the more "normal" was the locomotor pattern. This suggests that neuronal circuits underlying locomotor "pattern generation" in man are not restricted to any specific level(s) of the spinal cord, but that an intricate neuronal network contributing to bipedal locomotion extends from thoracolumbal to cervical levels.

Details

ISSN :
00144819
Volume :
128
Issue :
3
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Experimental brain research
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....3abab2b006590313fc04cdceea546a69