NITRIC-OXIDE PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN ADAPTIVE-CONTROL OF LOCOMOTION IN CAT

Diverse roles in cellular functions have been ascribed to nitric oxide (NO), and its involvement in induction of long-term depression in cer ebellar Purkinje cells has been demonstrated, Manipulations of NO conc entration or its synthesis in cerebellar tissues therefore provide a m eans for investigating roles of NO in cerebellar functions at both cel lular and behavioral levels. We tested adaptive control of locomotion to perturbation in cats, and found that this form of motor learning wa s abolished by application of either an inhibitor of NO synthase or a scavenger of NO to the cerebellar cortical locomotion area. This findi ng supports the view that NO in the cerebellum plays a key role in mot or learning.