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© magicmine / Zoonar / picture alliance (detail) The spinal cord runs in the spinal canal of the spinal column. Among other things, it serves to transmit nerve impulses from the motor cortex to the muscles and plays a decisive role in the coordination of reflexes.
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Motor learning without a brain

Spektrum der Wissenschaft
17.4.2024
Translation: machine translated

The spinal cord can adapt motor processes flexibly and permanently. It therefore has learning and memory capacities, independent of the brain. The neurones responsible have now been identified. The findings could improve the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

The spinal cord comprises several populations of neurons that are functionally divided into two categories: dorsal (facing the back) neurons, which receive and transmit sensory information, and ventral (facing the abdomen), which modulate motor output. To find out how they are each involved in learning and memory, the group switched off different genes in the experimental mice.

Hope for spinal cord injuries

Spectrum of science

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Original article on Spektrum.de
Header image: © magicmine / Zoonar / picture alliance (detail) The spinal cord runs in the spinal canal of the spinal column. Among other things, it serves to transmit nerve impulses from the motor cortex to the muscles and plays a decisive role in the coordination of reflexes.

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