The role of the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis in locomotion: a lesion study in the rat.

Bilateral anodal and cathodal electrolytic lesions of the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis (NRTP) increased forward locomotion in rats. The correlation between the magnitude of locomotion and percent of NRTP damage demonstrated that the more complete the NRTP destruction the greater the increase of locomotion. The lesioned rats exhibited at the same time low level rearing and running wheel activity as well as some lack of motor coordination during body balance tests. Taking into consideration the neural connections of the NRTP we suggest that disruption of NRTP-cerebellar pathways, rather than connection with forebrain structures is associated with the lesion-induced increase of forward locomotion.