The negotiated equilibrium model of spinal cord function.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Spinal Cord Physiology

Background:

• The traditional view of the spinal cord as a fixed, hardwired system is outdated.
• The central nervous system (CNS), including the spinal cord, exhibits plasticity throughout life, influenced by development, learning, aging, and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel model of spinal cord function that integrates its plasticity with its role in behavior execution.
• To explain how brain and spinal cord plasticity interact to support motor behaviors.

Main Methods:

• The study proposes a conceptual model based on existing laboratory and clinical data.
• The model posits that brain plasticity induces and sustains spinal cord plasticity.
• Performance feedback from the spinal cord to the brain guides ongoing adaptive changes.

Main Results:

• Motor behaviors concurrently induce plasticity, with each behavior preserving its essential features.
• A 'negotiated equilibrium' emerges as different behaviors compete for and shape shared spinal cord resources.
• This dynamic negotiation ensures the reliability of the spinal cord as the final common pathway for behavior.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model offers a new framework for understanding spinal cord function and its adaptability.
• This model has potential applications in developing strategies to restore function in neuromuscular disorders.
• Further research is required to validate the model's generality and explore its implications for other CNS areas.