{"title":"Spinal inhibitory interneurons: regulators of coordination during locomotor activity.","authors":"Simon Gosgnach","doi":"10.3389/fncir.2023.1167836","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Since the early 1900's it has been known that a neural network, situated entirely within the spinal cord, is capable of generating the movements required for coordinated locomotion in limbed vertebrates. Due the number of interneurons in the spinal cord, and the extent to which neurons with the same function are intermingled with others that have divergent functions, the components of this neural circuit (now referred to as the locomotor central pattern generator-CPG) have long proven to be difficult to identify. Over the past 20 years a molecular approach has been incorporated to study the locomotor CPG. This approach has resulted in new information regarding the identity of its component interneurons, and their specific role during locomotor activity. In this mini review the role of the inhibitory interneuronal populations that have been shown to be involved in locomotor activity are described, and their specific role in securing left-right, and flexor extensor alternation is outlined. Understanding how these interneuronal populations are activated, modulated, and interact with one another will help us understand how locomotor behavior is produced. In addition, a deeper understanding of the structure and mechanism of function of the locomotor CPG has the potential to assist those developing strategies aimed at enhancing recovery of motor function in spinal cord injured patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12498,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Neural Circuits","volume":"17 ","pages":"1167836"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10159059/pdf/","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Frontiers in Neural Circuits","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fncir.2023.1167836","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"NEUROSCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
Since the early 1900's it has been known that a neural network, situated entirely within the spinal cord, is capable of generating the movements required for coordinated locomotion in limbed vertebrates. Due the number of interneurons in the spinal cord, and the extent to which neurons with the same function are intermingled with others that have divergent functions, the components of this neural circuit (now referred to as the locomotor central pattern generator-CPG) have long proven to be difficult to identify. Over the past 20 years a molecular approach has been incorporated to study the locomotor CPG. This approach has resulted in new information regarding the identity of its component interneurons, and their specific role during locomotor activity. In this mini review the role of the inhibitory interneuronal populations that have been shown to be involved in locomotor activity are described, and their specific role in securing left-right, and flexor extensor alternation is outlined. Understanding how these interneuronal populations are activated, modulated, and interact with one another will help us understand how locomotor behavior is produced. In addition, a deeper understanding of the structure and mechanism of function of the locomotor CPG has the potential to assist those developing strategies aimed at enhancing recovery of motor function in spinal cord injured patients.
期刊介绍:
Frontiers in Neural Circuits publishes rigorously peer-reviewed research on the emergent properties of neural circuits - the elementary modules of the brain. Specialty Chief Editors Takao K. Hensch and Edward Ruthazer at Harvard University and McGill University respectively, are supported by an outstanding Editorial Board of international experts. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics and the public worldwide.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits launched in 2011 with great success and remains a "central watering hole" for research in neural circuits, serving the community worldwide to share data, ideas and inspiration. Articles revealing the anatomy, physiology, development or function of any neural circuitry in any species (from sponges to humans) are welcome. Our common thread seeks the computational strategies used by different circuits to link their structure with function (perceptual, motor, or internal), the general rules by which they operate, and how their particular designs lead to the emergence of complex properties and behaviors. Submissions focused on synaptic, cellular and connectivity principles in neural microcircuits using multidisciplinary approaches, especially newer molecular, developmental and genetic tools, are encouraged. Studies with an evolutionary perspective to better understand how circuit design and capabilities evolved to produce progressively more complex properties and behaviors are especially welcome. The journal is further interested in research revealing how plasticity shapes the structural and functional architecture of neural circuits.