Electrically induced locomotion in the in vitro brainstem-spinal cord preparation.

Electrical stimulation of the brainstem was used to induce locomotion in the in vitro brainstem-spinal cord preparation. Recordings of electromyograms in 'limb-attached' preparations revealed an apparently adult-like step cycle. The lowest threshold sites were localized in the posterior midbrain (reticular formation in the peribrachial area and in the ventral reticular formation) and in the medioventral medulla (dorsolateral to the pyramids).