Functional organization of V2a‐related locomotor circuits in the rodent spinal cord
Abstract
Studies of mammalian locomotion have been greatly facilitated by the use of the isolated rodent spinal cord preparation that retains the locomotor circuits needed to execute the movement. Physiological and molecular genetic experiments in this preparation have started to unravel the basic circuit organization responsible for walking in mammals. Here, we review these experiments with a focus on the functional role of excitatory V2a interneurons in the mammalian locomotor network. With regard to these neurons and other network structures we also discuss similarities and differences between the mammalian walking central pattern generator (CPG) and the fish swimming CPG.
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These neurons originate from a subset of developmentally defined V2a neurons.
“These neurons originate from a subset of developmentally defined V2a neurons35,41–45, which describe a family of neuronal subpopulations distributed along the neuraxis35,41–45.”
From The neurons that restore walking after paralysis (2022) · cites this paper as [42]
Specific subpopulations of V2a neurons in the brainstem, cervical spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord have been implicated in different aspects of motor control.
“Specific subpopulations of V2a neurons in the brainstem, cervical spinal cord and lumbar spinal cord have been implicated in different aspects of motor control35,41–45.”
From The neurons that restore walking after paralysis (2022) · cites this paper as [42]
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- Authors
- Dougherty, K. J., & Kiehn, O.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Kiehn, Ole
- Venue
- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2010-06
- Volume
- 1198
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 85-93
- ISSN
- 0077-8923 (ISSN-L)
- 1749-6632
- OpenAlex
- W1502952578
- Cited by
- 75
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 0.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01ns040795-09)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS040795-08)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Robotic Locomotion and Control
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
- Keywords
- V2a interneurons, locomotor circuits, spinal cord, central pattern generator, rodent locomotion, walking, fish locomotion, excitatory interneurons
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Fishes, Interneurons, Larva, Functional Laterality, Locomotion, Models, Neurological, Rodentia, Spinal Cord, Transcription Factors, Zebrafish, Homeodomain Proteins, Mice
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