Neural circuits for learning movements have been found in the human spinal cord
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Science: neural circuits for learning movements found in the spinal cord
A team of scientists from Belgium and Japan has discovered that the spinal cord has more “intellectual” activity than expected. The study showed that this part of the human nervous system has its own mechanisms for learning and adapting to information independently of the brain. The results of the work were published in the journal Science.
Scientists have created a special installation to study the ability of the spinal cord to learn and remember using mice as an example.
The experiment included an experimental mouse and a control mouse whose hind legs were free. If an experimental mouse’s hind leg dropped too low, it received electrical stimulation. The control mouse also received stimulation, but it was not related to the position of its paws. In just 10 minutes, experimental mice learned to hold their hind legs higher. This knowledge was retained after 24 hours.
Subsequent experiments with transgenic mice in which different groups of spinal neurons were switched off showed that motor learning is controlled by neurons in the upper part of the spinal cord, and memory of information is controlled by another group of neurons in the lower part.
Scientists say their discovery raises doubts that motor learning and movement memory are limited only to the brain. These results may help develop new methods of recovery for spinal injuries.
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