Origin and circuitry of spinal locomotor interneurons generating different speeds.

Origin and circuitry of spinal locomotor interneurons generating different speeds.
Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2018 May 03;53:16-21
Authors: Boije H, Kullander K
Abstract
The spinal circuitry governing the undulatory movements of swimming vertebrates consist of excitatory and commissural inhibitory interneurons and motor neurons. This locomotor network generates the rhythmic output, coordinate left/right alternation, and permit communication across segments. Through evolution, more complex movement patterns have emerged, made possible by sub-specialization of neural populations within the spinal cord. Walking tetrapods use a similar basic circuitry, but have added layers of complexity for the coordination of intralimbic flexor and extensor muscles as well as interlimbic coordination between the body halves and fore/hindlimbs. Although the basics of these circuits are known there is a gap in our knowledge regarding how different speeds and gaits are coordinated. Analysing subpopulations among described neuronal populations may bring insight into how changes in locomotor output are orchestrated by a hard-wired network.
PMID: 29733915 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Opinion in Neurobiology - May 3, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Boije H, Kullander K Tags: Curr Opin Neurobiol Source Type: research