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Evidence for a spinal central pattern generator in humans.

M R Dimitrijevic·Y Gerasimenko·M M Pinter
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Abstract

Non-patterned electrical stimulation of the posterior structures of the lumbar spinal cord in subjects with complete, long-standing spinal cord injury, can induce patterned, locomotor-like activity. We show that epidural spinal cord stimulation can elicit step-like EMG activity and locomotor synergies in paraplegic subjects. An electrical train of stimuli applied over the second lumbar segment with a frequency of 25 to 60 Hz and an amplitude of 5-9 V was effective in inducing rhythmic, alternating stance and swing phases of the lower limbs. This finding suggests that spinal circuitry in humans has the capability of generating locomotor-like activity even when isolated from brain control, and that externally controlled sustained electrical stimulation of the spinal cord can replace the tonic drive generated by the brain.

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Action PotentialsAdultElectric StimulationElectromyographyFemaleHumansLocomotionMaleMiddle AgedMotor NeuronsNeural PathwaysParaplegiaPeriodicityReaction TimeSpinal CordSpinal Cord InjuriesJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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M R Dimitrijevic, Y Gerasimenko, M M Pinter. 1998-11-16. Evidence for a spinal central pattern generator in humans.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb09062.x

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