The complex neuronal networks of the spinal cord coordinate a wide variety of motor functions, including walking, running, and voluntary and involuntary movements. This is accomplished by different groups of neurons, called center pattern generators, which control left–right alternation and flexor–extensor patterns. These spinal circuits, located in the ventral horns, are formed by several neuronal types, and the specific function of most of them has been identified by means of studies in vivo and in the isolated spinal cord of mice harboring genetically induced ablation of specific neuronal populations. These studies have shown that the coordinated activity of several interneuron types, mainly GABAergic and glycinergic inhibitory neurons, have a crucial role in the modulation of motor neurons activity that finally excites the corresponding muscles. A pharmacological experimental approach by administering in the spinal cord agonists and antagonists of glutamate, GABA, glycine, and acetylcholine receptors to alter their synaptic action has also produced important results, linking the deficits in the synaptic function with the resulting motor alterations. These results have also increased the knowledge of the mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration, which is characteristic of diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and therefore open the possibility of designing new strategies for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

中文翻译：

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脊髓中的兴奋性和抑制性神经元回路及其在控制运动神经元功能和变性中的作用

脊髓的复杂神经网络协调各种运动功能，包括步行，跑步以及自愿和非自愿运动。这是通过控制中心模式生成器的不同组神经元来完成的，它们控制左右交替和屈伸肌模式。这些位于腹角的脊髓回路是由几种神经元类型形成的，其中大多数的特定功能已通过体内研究以及在携带遗传诱导的特定神经元切除的小鼠的分离脊髓中进行了研究。 。这些研究表明，几种中间神经元类型（主要是GABA能和甘氨酸能抑制神经元）的协调活性，在运动神经元活动的调节中起着至关重要的作用，最终激活了相应的肌肉。通过在脊髓激动剂和谷氨酸，GABA，甘氨酸和乙酰胆碱受体拮抗剂中给药以改变其突触作用的药理实验方法也产生了重要的结果，将突触功能的缺陷与所引起的运动改变联系起来。这些结果还增加了对运动神经元变性机制的认识，而运动神经元变性机制是诸如肌萎缩性侧索硬化等疾病的特征，因此为设计预防和治疗这些疾病的新策略提供了可能性。乙酰胆碱受体和改变其突触作用的乙酰胆碱受体也产生了重要的结果，将突触功能的缺陷与导致的运动改变联系起来。这些结果还增加了对运动神经元变性机制的认识，而运动神经元变性机制是诸如肌萎缩性侧索硬化等疾病的特征，因此为设计预防和治疗这些疾病的新策略提供了可能性。乙酰胆碱受体和改变其突触作用的乙酰胆碱受体也产生了重要的结果，将突触功能的缺陷与导致的运动改变联系起来。这些结果还增加了对运动神经元变性机制的认识，而运动神经元变性机制是诸如肌萎缩性侧索硬化等疾病的特征，因此为设计预防和治疗这些疾病的新策略提供了可能性。