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Central and peripheral influences on retention of postural asymmetry in rats
Journal article

Central and peripheral influences on retention of postural asymmetry in rats

Joseph E Steinmetz
Journal of comparative & physiological psychology, v 96(1)
Feb 1982
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0077865
PMID: 7056899

Abstract

Four studies with 94 Long-Evans rats examined potential neural processes involved in retention of a peripherally induced postural asymmetry. In Exp I, dorsal and ventral spinal root section following varying intervals of stimulation successfully abolished peripherally induced hindlimb asymmetry. Exp II revealed that 50 min of ventral root stimulation, in the absence of central connection, was not effective in producing asymmetry persistence. Exp III attempted to more closely delineate the time parameters involved in peripherally induced asymmetry retention. Asymmetry was found to consistently outlast a spinal transection if 40 min of stimulation was given. In Exp IV, possible modulatory higher brain center influences on the retention processes were demonstrated. Asymmetry persistence was consistently observed in Ss that received 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 min of hindlimb stimulation if 50 min were allowed to elapse between the onset of stimulation and spinal section. Results (1) suggest an active involvement of spinal reflex centers in the fixation process, (2) indicate that the manner in which reflex activity is altered is not crucial as long as underlying time parameters are adhered to, and (3) demonstrate that higher center influences can modulate retention of a postural asymmetry in a complex manner. (14 ref)

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Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Biological
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