Sensorimotor Integration by Corticospinal System.

Yunuen Moreno-López,Gerardo Rojas-Piloni,Matilde Cordero-Erausquin,Rafael Olivares-Moreno

doi:10.3389/fnana.2016.00024

Abstract

The corticospinal (CS) tract is a complex system which targets several areas of the spinal cord. In particular, the CS descending projection plays a major role in motor command, which results from direct and indirect control of spinal cord pre-motor interneurons as well as motoneurons. But in addition, this system is also involved in a selective and complex modulation of sensory feedback. Despite recent evidence confirms that CS projections drive distinct segmental neural circuits that are part of the sensory and pre-motor pathways, little is known about the spinal networks engaged by the corticospinal tract (CST), the organization of CS projections, the intracortical microcircuitry, and the synaptic interactions in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) that may encode different cortical outputs to the spinal cord. Here is stressed the importance of integrated approaches for the study of sensorimotor function of CS system, in order to understand the functional compartmentalization and hierarchical organization of layer 5 output neurons, who are key elements for motor control and hence, of behavior.

Highlights

Reviewed by: Yoshiko Izawa, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan Riccardo Ruffoli, University of Pisa, Italy
Despite recent evidence confirms that CS projections drive distinct segmental neural circuits that are part of the sensory and pre-motor pathways, little is known about the spinal networks engaged by the corticospinal tract (CST), the organization of CS projections, the intracortical microcircuitry, and the synaptic interactions in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) that may encode different cortical outputs to the spinal cord
Any movement produces activation of peripheral receptors generating self-induced activity that is transmitted to the central nervous system where it interacts with motor commands and other processes (Rudomin, 1999; Rudomin and Schmidt, 1999; Seki et al, 2003)

Summary

Sensorimotor Integration by Corticospinal System

Yunuen Moreno-López 1, Rafael Olivares-Moreno 1, Matilde Cordero-Erausquin 2 and Gerardo Rojas-Piloni 1*. The CS descending projection plays a major role in motor command, which results from direct and indirect control of spinal cord pre-motor interneurons as well as motoneurons. In addition, this system is involved in a selective and complex modulation of sensory feedback. Despite recent evidence confirms that CS projections drive distinct segmental neural circuits that are part of the sensory and pre-motor pathways, little is known about the spinal networks engaged by the corticospinal tract (CST), the organization of CS projections, the intracortical microcircuitry, and the synaptic interactions in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) that may encode different cortical outputs to the spinal cord.

THE CORTICOSPINAL TRACT AND THE SENSORIMOTOR CONTROL

SPINAL CORD INTERNEURONS UNDER CORTICAL CONTROL

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF CST

FUTURE DIRECTIONS TO UNCOVER CORTICOSPINAL FUNCTIONS