[Changes in the excitability of motor neurons and synaptic effects on them during formation of the generator of scratching movements in the cat]

It is shown that the state of the segmental apparatus of the lumbal spinal cord of immobilized intercollicularly decerebrated cats during formation of a scratching generator is essentially different from that of a spinal animal. The excitability of "aiming" and "scratching" motoneurons increases, recurrent and reciprocal Ia inhibition of motoneurons becomes stronger and influence of Ib afferents weaker. The flexor reflex afferents exert inhibitory influences on "aiming" motoneurons. After spinalization these influences become excitatory, and the inhibitory influences on "scratching" motoneurons become weaker. The functional role of described changes is discussed.