Re-expression of locomotor function after partial spinal cord injury

Physiology (Bethesda). 2009 Apr:24:127-39. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00042.2008.

Abstract

After a complete spinal section, quadruped mammals (cats, rats, and mice) can generally regain hindlimb locomotion on a treadmill because the spinal cord below the lesion can express locomotion through a neural circuitry termed the central pattern generator (CPG). In this review, we propose that the spinal CPG also plays a crucial role in the locomotor recovery after incomplete spinal cord injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Instinct
  • Locomotion / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology
  • Neural Pathways / physiology
  • Rats
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology*