[Activity of propriospinal neurons of the ventral horn of the superior lumbar segments during fictive scratch reflexes].

Activity of propriospinal neurons from the ventral horn of segments L4 and L3 was recorded during fictitious scratch reflex in decerebrated cats. Neurons were identified by their antidromic response to stimulation of the ventral surface of the L7 segment. Most neurons were not active during scratching. This finding suggests that this group of neurons does not participate in the control of motoneurons during the activity of intrinsic spinal networks but rather participates in the transmission of supraspinal commands to motoneurons.