title: Probing spinal circuits controlling walking in mammals.
abstract: Locomotion in mammals is a complex motor act that involves the activation of a large number of muscles in a well-coordinated pattern. Understanding the network organization of the intrinsic spinal networks that control the locomotion, the central pattern generators, has been a challenge to neuroscientists. However, experiments using the isolated rodent spinal cord and combining electrophysiology and molecular genetics to dissect the locomotor network have started to shed new light on the network structure. In the present review, we will discuss findings that have revealed the role of designated populations of neurons for the key network functions including coordinating muscle activity and generating rhythmic activity. These findings are summarized in proposed organizational principles for the mammalian segmental CPG.
authors.affiliation: Mammalian Locomotor Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius väg 8, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden. O.Kiehn@ki.se
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kiehn
authors.forename: Kimberly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Dougherty
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hägglund
authors.forename: Lotta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borgius
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Talpalar
authors.forename: Carlos Ernesto
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Restrepo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D012377:Rodentia / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*