Edging toward Entelechy in Motor Control

• Published in: Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Vol. 80; no. 3; pp. 827 - 834
• Main Authors: Miri, Andrew, Azim, Eiman, Jessell, Thomas M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 30.10.2013; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Animals; Behavior; Biomechanics; Humans; Motor Activity - physiology; Motor Cortex - physiology; Motor Neurons - physiology; Neurons; Pyramidal Tracts - cytology; Pyramidal Tracts - physiology; Rodents; Spinal cord; Spinal Cord - physiology
• ISSN: 0896-6273; 1097-4199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.10.049

The organization and functional logic of corticospinal motor neurons and their target connections remains unclear, despite their evident influence on movement. Spinal interneurons mediate much of this influence, yet we know little about the way in which corticospinal neurons engage spinal interneurons. This is perhaps not surprising given that the principles of organization of local spinal microcircuits remain elusive—we have glimpses of an underlying order but lack a comprehensive view of their functional architecture. In this brief essay we make a case that a new focus on the intersection of cortical and spinal circuits may provide clarity to the interpretation of corticospinal motor neuron firing patterns and help specify the logic of corticospinal motor neuronal function. Tom Jessell, Andrew Miri, and Eiman Azim focus on the link between motor cortex and spinal cord at the circuit level and make a case that lessons learned about circuit architecture and logic from motor systems may have general relevance to other circuits and systems.