[Motor representation of the limbs in the rabbit cerebral cortex].

Movements elicited by electrical stimulation (ES) of the brain's dorsal surface (train duration 20 msec, frequency 200 c/s) were studied in unanaesthetized slightly fixed rabbits. The stimuli were led through 80 mu in diameter electrodes implanted in the cortex. The responses were estimated visually or electromyographycally. The local responses of the forelimb (FL) were elicited by ES of an area with coordinates A 1-2, L 1-4; local movements of the hind limb (HL)--P 2,5-3,5 L 1-4. Between these areas there is a region whose stimulation caused the movements of the fore- and hind limb simultaneously ("overlapping area"). The thresholds and latencies of the forelimb responses were minimal when the stimuli were applied to the "local responses area". However, the tresholds and latencies of hindlimb responses were higher when stimulation was applied in the "local responses area" as compared with the "overlapping area". Light barbiturate anaesthesia (20 to 25 mg/kg) raised the thresholds of hindlimb movements 13 to 18 times when the stimuli were applied to the "local responses area", and 7 to 8 times, when they were applied to the "overlapping area". The problem of determination of the rabbit "motor centre" is discussed.