Sensorimotor cortical representation in the rat and the role of the cortex in the production of sensory myoclonic jerks.

1. After administration of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) to anaesthetized rats, rabbits and cats, a reflex jerk consisting of three distinct components was evoked in the limb muscles by peripheral stimulation. The second component of the jerk in the forelimb muscles of all three animals was specifically abolished by lesions confined to the contralateral forelimb sensorimotor cortex. 2. These lesions had no effect on the second response in either the hind limbs or in the forelimb ipsilateral to the lesion. The first and third responses were also unaffected. 3. Lesions in the cat hind-limb cortex abolished the contralateral hind-limb second response, but not the ipsilateral hind-limb or forelimb response. 4. In the rat and rabbit, unilateral hind-limb sensorimotor lesions were ineffective in completely abolishing the second response in the contralateral hind-leg muscles, and in addition, reduced the probability of occurrence of the response in the ipsilateral hind leg. Bilateral lesions abolished the response. 5. Re-investigation of the sensory and motor representation of the hind limb in the rat cortex revealed that this is bilateral in nature. Short-latency cortical responses (ca. 7-0 msec) could be evoked in one cortex by stimulation of either hind paw. The geometric centre of the cortical area from which these responses could be recorded was identical for each hind paw. 6. After catechol injection, stimulation of the cortical surface with single anodal shocks of threshold strength produced responses at similar latency (ca. 8-0 msec) in both hind limbs. 7. The behaviour of the second response after cortical lesions corresponds closely with the pattern of the somatosensorimotor cortical representation. The latency of the response is such as to allow its production by a long-loop cortical reflex, and this possibility is discussed.