The neural circuit called the "corticospinal tract" that connects the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord is known as the neural circuit required for spontaneous motor initiation and control of complex and skillful motor movements.However, it was unclear what kind of nerve cells this circuit is connected to and how it can ultimately produce complex motor movements, its connection mode and operating principle.

　This time, the research group used the latest technology to analyze neural circuits to explore the detailed composition and function of nerve cells in the corticospinal tract of mice.As a result, we found that in the corticospinal tract, circuits are formed by various nerve cell types in the cerebral cortex and spinal cord, that is, a "nerve map" is inherent.It was found that these circuits control different elements of motor function when performing complex movements.

　This revealed that the corticospinal tract is not a single neural circuit, but works in an integrated manner as a collection of diverse neural circuits with different functions, thereby skillfully controlling motor movements.

　This result reveals the existence of a neural base that can exert skillful movements, and what kind of neural circuit needs to be reconstructed in various neurological disorders such as stroke and cerebrospinal cord injury that impair motor function. It's a clue as to whether there is something.In the future, it is expected to develop a method for reconstructing the neural circuit discovered this time by using rehabilitation and neural circuit regeneration technology.

Paper information:[Cell Reports] Corticospinal circuits from the sensory and motor cortex differentially regulated skilled movements through distinct spinal interneurons.