Descending control of locomotor circuits

Abstract

Animals have developed different locomotor strategies to explore and survive in their environment by walking, flying, or swimming. Even though the biomechanics are different, the neural control of these movements is very similar in all vertebrate species. In this review, we provide an overview of the descending central control of locomotion in vertebrates with an emphasis on recent findings in the field. We discuss how different cell populations in the spinal cord control the intensity of locomotion. We then outline exciting findings on the heterogeneity of reticulospinal cells and their role in controlling different locomotor aspects. Furthermore, we review specific roles of different cell groups in the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) and describe newly found descending inputs to the MLR.