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Evidence for a spinal stepping generator in man. Electrophysiological study
B Bussel1, A Roby-Brami, O R Néris
1INSERM, Hôpital R. Poincaré, Garches, France.
Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Evidence suggests humans have a spinal stepping generator. Studies show the spinal cord can create rhythmic activity independently, supporting the existence of a central pattern generator for locomotion.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Locomotion
- Spinal Cord Physiology
Background:
- The existence of a spinal stepping generator in humans remains debated.
- Lower vertebrates possess spinal circuitry crucial for rhythmic stepping.
- Supraspinal influences on spinal cord activity are well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate evidence supporting a spinal stepping generator in humans.
- To explore the capacity of the human spinal cord for generating rhythmic activity.
- To compare spinal reflex variations between normal and paraplegic individuals.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological studies of the spinal cord.
- Analysis of spinal circuitry elements in humans.
- Comparative study of polysynaptic spinal flexor reflex variations.
Main Results:
- The human spinal cord can generate rhythmic activity without supraspinal input.
- Key spinal circuitry elements for stepping are present in humans.
- Normal subjects exhibit differences in spinal reflex activity compared to paraplegic patients, suggesting use of a spinal locomotor center.
Conclusions:
- Electrophysiological and comparative reflex studies provide evidence for a human spinal stepping generator.
- While suggestive, current evidence does not definitively prove the existence of a central pattern generator for locomotion in humans.