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Two scientists from the University of Copenhagen and one from the University of Vilnius have demonstrated that the spinal cord uses network mechanisms similar to those used in the brain. The discovery is featured in the current issue of Science ( Berg et al., Science 315: 390-393 ) The research group behind the surprising results consists of Professor Jørn Hounsgaard and Post.doc Rune W. Berg from the University of Copenhagen, and Assistant Professor and PhD Aidas Alaburda from the University of Vilnius. The group has shown that spinal neurons, during network activity underlying movements, show the similar irregular firing patterns as seen in the cerebral cortex.  A motor neuron from the spinal cord of a turtle, stained with horseradish peroxidase. The elongated soma with an extended dendritic tree (>1 mm) receives unexpectedly balanced input from large groups of both inhibitory and excitatory interneurons. Image: J. Hounsgaard and R. W. Berg New approach
- Our findings contradict conventional wisdom about spinal cord functions, says Rune W. Berg from the Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Copenhagen. Until now, the general belief was that the spinal networks function mechanically and completely without random impulses. The new discovery enables researchers to use the theory on cortical networks to explore how spinal cords generate movements. Still puzzled by movement How humans are able to move at all remains a puzzle. Our muscles are controlled by thousands of nerve cells in the spinal cord. This entire, complex system must work as a whole in order to successfully create a single motion. The new research shows that even if we repeat a certain motion with high accuracy, the involved nerve cells never repeat their activity patterns. This particular observation reflects the organization of the nerve cells of the cerebral cortex. Contact Postdoc Rune W. Berg, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, phone +45 35 32 75 60 Professor Jørn Hounsgaard, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, phone, +45 35 32 75 59 Source: Rune W. Berg |
