Effect of Deafferentation on a Conditioned Avoidance Response

Abstract

To determine whether peripheral afferent pathways could be bypassed in the performance of purposive movement, a group of monkeys was trained to avoid shock by flexing a forelimb in response to an auditory stimulus. The dorsal roots of the responding limb were then sectioned. Postoperatively it was found that the affected limb could be reconditioned.