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Related Concept Videos

The Spinal Cord01:54

The Spinal Cord

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The spinal cord is the body’s major nerve tract of the central nervous system, communicating afferent sensory information from the periphery to the brain and efferent motor information from the brain to the body. The human spinal cord extends from the hole at the base of the skull, or foramen magnum, to the level of the first or second lumbar vertebra.
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The spinal cord is an integral hub for motor and sensory information that enables the brain to communicate with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This communication consists of relaying sensory data and transmission of motor commands.
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The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
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Spinal Cord01:26

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The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.
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The indirect motor or extrapyramidal pathways originate in the brainstem, the lower portion of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. They consist of several distinct tracts, each with specialized functions. The four main tracts of the indirect motor pathways are the vestibulospinal tract, the reticulospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, and the rubrospinal tract.
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Author Spotlight: Using the MouseWalker to Quantify Locomotor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury
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Author Spotlight: Using the MouseWalker to Quantify Locomotor Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Spinal Cord Injury

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Spinal cord pattern generators for locomotion.

V Dietz1

  • 1ParaCare, Institute for Research and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Balgrist, Forchstr. 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland. dietz@balgrist.unizh.ch

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|July 31, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Locomotion relies on spinal cord circuits (central pattern generators) interacting with sensory input. Understanding how these circuits change after injury is key for treating movement disorders like spasticity and Parkinson's disease.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control
  • Rehabilitation Science

Background:

  • Mammalian locomotion is driven by spinal central pattern generators (CPGs).
  • CPGs interact with peripheral afferent information and are modulated by the brainstem.
  • Movement disorders in central motor diseases involve faulty afferent input utilization and compensatory mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of spinal neuronal circuits in locomotion and movement disorders.
  • To investigate the plastic changes in spinal circuits after central motor lesions.
  • To inform rehabilitative strategies by understanding central nervous system plasticity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on CPGs, afferent signaling, and brainstem control.
  • Analysis of evidence regarding movement disorders (spasticity, Parkinson's disease).
  • Examination of studies on spinal cord plasticity post-lesion.

Main Results:

  • Spinal CPGs are fundamental to locomotion, integrating sensory feedback.
  • Defective afferent processing contributes to motor disorders.
  • Spinal neuronal circuits exhibit plasticity following central motor lesions.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding spinal circuit plasticity is crucial for developing effective rehabilitation therapies.
  • Targeting CNS plasticity can improve treatment for movement disorders.
  • This research enhances understanding of movement disorder pathophysiology.