title: Dynamics and plasticity of spinal locomotor circuits.
abstract: Spinal circuits generate coordinated locomotor movements. These hardwired circuits are supplemented with neuromodulation that provide the necessary flexibility for animals to move smoothly through their environment. This review will highlight some recent insights gained in understanding the functional dynamics and plasticity of the locomotor circuits. First the mechanisms governing the modulation of the speed of locomotion will be discussed. Second, advantages of the modular organization of the locomotor networks with multiple circuits engaged in a task-dependent manner will be examined. Finally, the neuromodulation and the resulting plasticity of the locomotor circuits will be summarized with an emphasis on endocannabinoids and nitric oxide. The intention is to extract general principles of organization and discuss some onto-genetic and phylogenetic divergences.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: abdel.elmanira@ki.se.
authors: Abdeljabbar
authors: A
authors: El Manira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology