The cuneiform nucleus (CN) and the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) in the midbrain control coordinated locomotion in vertebrates, but whether similar mechanisms exist in humans remain to be elucidated. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found that simulated gait evoked activations in the CN, PPN, and other brainstem regions in humans. Brain networks were constructed for each condition using functional connectivity. Bilateral CN–PPN and the four pons–medulla regions constituted two separate modules under all motor conditions, presenting two brainstem functional units for locomotion control. Outside- and inside-brainstem nodes were connected more densely although the links between the two groups were sparse. Functional connectivity and network analysis revealed the role of brainstem circuits in dual-task walking and walking automaticity. Together, our findings indicate that the CN, PPN, and other brainstem regions participate in locomotion control in humans.

中文翻译：

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功能性MRI显示人脑干中的运动控制神经回路

脊椎动物中枢神经控制的楔形楔形核（CN）和人足桥骨核（PPN）协调运动，但是尚不清楚人类中是否存在类似的机制。使用功能磁共振成像，我们发现模拟步态在人的CN，PPN和其他脑干区域中引起激活。使用功能连接性为每种情况构建了大脑网络。双边CN–PPN和四个脑桥–延髓区域在所有运动条件下均构成两个独立的模块，并提供了两个用于运动控制的脑干功能单元。尽管两组之间的链接稀疏，但外侧和内侧脑干节点之间的连接更为紧密。功能连接和网络分析揭示了脑干电路在双任务步行和步行自动化中的作用。