The nervous system consists of several neurons that control body activities. They are arranged into functional groups called circuits that originate from the brain and spinal cord. The nerve cells are connected by synapses. Recently, a new hypothesis explaining how spinal neural networks regulate the movement of turtles has been created by a group of scientists at the University of Copenhagen collaborating with a colleague from the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin. Other scientists have published articles concerning this discovery.
A turtle
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How turtles walk
In the past, turtles’ movement was attributed to how neuronal signals were passed back and forth in a ‘flexion and extension manner’. According to the theories, control is transferred to and from between the two groups, causing activities like walking and other movements.
Recent discoveries disproved this school of thought. The spinal neurons of turtles are arranged in a haphazard manner causing the signal transmission to occur in a circular activity pattern.
A study was carried out where several test turtles had electrodes affixed to their spines so that researchers could monitor brain activity when the test animals responded to tickling. The turtles were kept in position and tickled to encourage them to imitate walking. The examination of the recordings revealed that the neural networks in charge of flexor and extensor control did not exchange brain activity. Instead, they discovered that the motor regulation neurons in the spine were randomly organized and active at various periods. In addition, a pattern called the ‘circular activity pattern’ was discovered. The scientist points out that similar patterns have previously been discovered in the area of monkey brains that regulate arm motions. Rotational dynamics is the name given to these patterns.
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Clinical significance
Due to the novel discovery, new models of spinal neuron circuits for controlling movement have been developed. The neurons in these models are randomly positioned and linked, but in a way that enables circular neural control of rhythmic muscle action, such as that utilized in walking. The way neurons and intraspinal neural circuits work attest to the spinal cord’s essential role in motion.
Understanding how spinal neuronal networks function during locomotion will help define the neural systems underpinning locomotor behavior and control and advance the creation of innovative, focused locomotor rehabilitation techniques for those with compromised human bipedal gait.
Conclusion
Movement is a vital part of existence. Neuroscience and medicine as a whole may undergo a revolution as a result of the revelation of how motor neurons are coordinated in turtles.
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References
Movement is governed by rotational neural dynamics in spinal motor networks
