Topic: afferent feedback

Quadrupedal locomotion arises from a complex interplay between spinal neuronal circuits, descending brain signals, musculoskeletal interactions, and sensory feedback, enabling adaptive speed and terrain dependent gait transitions. However, the underlying neural mechanisms involved in limb coordination are poorly understood. Here, we present a 3D closed-loop neuromechanical model of a mouse and use it to explore interactions between the spinal circuitry and afferent feedback and their role in interlimb coordination during quadrupedal locomotion. The spinal circuit model includes four rhythm gen

Central pattern generators (CPGs) in the spinal cord control animal locomotion. They generate rhythmically alternating flexor and extensor activities producing coordinated limb movements. Afferent feedback allows animals to adapt locomotion to the environment. Responses of neural activities to afferent feedback stimulation have been previously examined during fictive locomotion in immobilized cats. However, locomotion of behaving animals is governed by dynamic interactions between central neuronal circuits (CPGs), afferent feedback, the musculoskeletal system, and the environment. To study the

Locomotion of animals is controlled by central pattern generators (CPGs) located in the spinal cord. Afferent feedback allows animals to adapt locomotion to the environment. Responses of neural activities to afferent feedback stimulation have been previously examined during fictive locomotion in immobilized cats. However, the locomotion of behaving animals is governed by dynamic interactions between central neuronal circuits, afferent feedback, the musculoskeletal system, and the environment. To study the specific role of afferent feedback in these interactions, we created a neuromusculoskelet