[Restoration of locomotion after partial extirpation of the motor cortex and transplantation of cortical tissue in the white rat].

Changes of the locomotion parameters were studied in three groups of rats of 5 to 16 weeks of age: 1) after unilateral removal of a part of the hindleg motor representation in 5-week animals; 2) after homotopic transplantation of neonatal cortical tissue into the ablation site; 3) in intact rats. In operated rats, a delay in the usual increase of the step length occurred. Clear signs of the restoration of locomotor parameters were found in rats with transplants within 2 to 5 weeks after the grafting. A significant trend towards increasing step length occurred within 9 to 11 weeks after the transplantation. Possible mechanisms of participation of both endogenous and exogenous factors in the restoration after the effects of partial decortication, are discussed.