Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular Genetics
Neuronal circuits in the spinal cord are essential for the control of locomotion. They integrate supraspinal commands and afferent feedback signals to produce coordinated rhythmic muscle activations necessary for stable locomotion. For several decades, computational modeling has complemented experim...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/13/6835 |
| _version_ | 1797528767329992704 |
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| author | Jessica Ausborn Natalia A. Shevtsova Simon M. Danner |
| author_facet | Jessica Ausborn Natalia A. Shevtsova Simon M. Danner |
| author_sort | Jessica Ausborn |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Neuronal circuits in the spinal cord are essential for the control of locomotion. They integrate supraspinal commands and afferent feedback signals to produce coordinated rhythmic muscle activations necessary for stable locomotion. For several decades, computational modeling has complemented experimental studies by providing a mechanistic rationale for experimental observations and by deriving experimentally testable predictions. This symbiotic relationship between experimental and computational approaches has resulted in numerous fundamental insights. With recent advances in molecular and genetic methods, it has become possible to manipulate specific constituent elements of the spinal circuitry and relate them to locomotor behavior. This has led to computational modeling studies investigating mechanisms at the level of genetically defined neuronal populations and their interactions. We review literature on the spinal locomotor circuitry from a computational perspective. By reviewing examples leading up to and in the age of molecular genetics, we demonstrate the importance of computational modeling and its interactions with experiments. Moving forward, neuromechanical models with neuronal circuitry modeled at the level of genetically defined neuronal populations will be required to further unravel the mechanisms by which neuronal interactions lead to locomotor behavior. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:03:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2324269ef3b747f7b085f6c7cd32db8a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:03:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-2324269ef3b747f7b085f6c7cd32db8a2023-11-22T01:43:35ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672021-06-012213683510.3390/ijms22136835Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular GeneticsJessica Ausborn0Natalia A. Shevtsova1Simon M. Danner2Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USADepartment of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USADepartment of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USANeuronal circuits in the spinal cord are essential for the control of locomotion. They integrate supraspinal commands and afferent feedback signals to produce coordinated rhythmic muscle activations necessary for stable locomotion. For several decades, computational modeling has complemented experimental studies by providing a mechanistic rationale for experimental observations and by deriving experimentally testable predictions. This symbiotic relationship between experimental and computational approaches has resulted in numerous fundamental insights. With recent advances in molecular and genetic methods, it has become possible to manipulate specific constituent elements of the spinal circuitry and relate them to locomotor behavior. This has led to computational modeling studies investigating mechanisms at the level of genetically defined neuronal populations and their interactions. We review literature on the spinal locomotor circuitry from a computational perspective. By reviewing examples leading up to and in the age of molecular genetics, we demonstrate the importance of computational modeling and its interactions with experiments. Moving forward, neuromechanical models with neuronal circuitry modeled at the level of genetically defined neuronal populations will be required to further unravel the mechanisms by which neuronal interactions lead to locomotor behavior.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/13/6835computational modelingneuronal control of locomotionspinal cordcentral pattern generatorinterneuronssensory feedback |
| spellingShingle | Jessica Ausborn Natalia A. Shevtsova Simon M. Danner Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular Genetics International Journal of Molecular Sciences computational modeling neuronal control of locomotion spinal cord central pattern generator interneurons sensory feedback |
| title | Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular Genetics |
| title_full | Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular Genetics |
| title_fullStr | Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular Genetics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular Genetics |
| title_short | Computational Modeling of Spinal Locomotor Circuitry in the Age of Molecular Genetics |
| title_sort | computational modeling of spinal locomotor circuitry in the age of molecular genetics |
| topic | computational modeling neuronal control of locomotion spinal cord central pattern generator interneurons sensory feedback |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/13/6835 |
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