title: Electrical activity as a developmental regulator in the formation of spinal cord circuits.
abstract: Spinal cord development is a complex process involving generation of the appropriate number of cells, acquisition of distinctive phenotypes and establishment of functional connections that enable execution of critical functions such as sensation and locomotion. Here we review the basic cellular events occurring during spinal cord development, highlighting studies that demonstrate the roles of electrical activity in this process. We conclude that the participation of different forms of electrical activity is evident from the beginning of spinal cord development and intermingles with other developmental cues and programs to implement dynamic and integrated control of spinal cord function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology & Membrane Biology, and Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95819, United States. lnborodinsky@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Laura N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Borodinsky
authors.forename: Yesser Hadj
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Belgacem
authors.forename: Immani
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Swapna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*