Editorial: Dysfunction and Repair of Neural Circuits for Motor Control

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2021 · DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.669824 · Published: March 22, 2021

Simple Explanation

Normal behavior can dissolve in pathological conditions, after trauma, or in neurodegenerative diseases due to dysfunction and degeneration of vulnerable neurons within neuronal circuits. Voluntary motor impairments after brain or spinal cord injury occur because descending projection neurons are vulnerable to axonal damage and unable to regenerate, limited by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Repair or restoration of normal function requires understanding the molecular, cellular, and neuronal circuit mechanisms involved, given recent advances demonstrating the complexity of the central nervous system.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Editorial

Key Findings

1
Motor cortical areas initiate communication with spinal cord circuitry for voluntary movement, conveying commands via spinal motor neurons to skeletal muscles; sensory information is equally essential.
2
Neural circuits can be affected in subtle ways after injury or in disease states, leading to dysfunction by disrupting signaling and connectivity.
3
Adaptive and maladaptive molecular and cellular changes within individual neurons and their supporting cells influence motor circuits after neural trauma.

Research Summary

The editorial discusses the dysfunction and repair of neural circuits for motor control, focusing on how trauma, neurodegenerative diseases, and pathological conditions affect these circuits. The Research Topic explores how circuits regulate and integrate their actions, how they are altered in disease or after trauma, and efforts to repair circuits to restore normal function. The included studies span various neuroanatomical locations and focus on regeneration, inflammation, and excitability in ALS animal models.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Development

Understanding initiating pathogenic events is critical for proposing potential therapeutic avenues for motor control disorders.

Rehabilitation Strategies

Targeting sensorimotor plasticity mechanisms may enhance motility after spinal cord injury through epidural electrical stimulation.

Drug Discovery

Modulating miR-133b to promote axon regeneration could be a therapeutic target for neural repair.

Study Limitations

1
Focus on existing literature and research topics rather than presenting original research.
2
The studies included may have limitations specific to their methodologies and models.
3
Generalizability of animal model findings to human conditions needs careful consideration.

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