Spatial and network principles behind neural generation of locomotion

Spatial and network principles behind neural generation of locomotion | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Biological Sciences - Article Spatial and network principles behind neural generation of locomotion Rune Berg, Salif Komi, August Winther, Grace Houser, Thomas Topilko, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6277936/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Walking is a fundamental action of humans and animals, yet the neural principles underlying how movement is generated remain unclear. In particular, the relationship between neuronal cell types, networks and functions has been difficult to establish. Here, we propose that spatial organization of the spinal cord itself is a key factor governing network-driven locomotor rhythms and patterns. First, an asymmetric "Mexican hat" connectivity -- i.e. an overall local excitation and longer-range inhibition with a longitudinal skew -- can account for the emergence of proper motor dynamics. Second, the role of segregation of cell types in the transversal plane is for descending fibers to find appropriate targets and control the network dynamics. We extract these principles via a model of the mouse spinal cord, where networks are constructed by probabilistic sampling of synaptic connections from cell-specific projection patterns, gleaned from literature. The cell-type distributions are derived from single-cell RNA sequencing combined with spatial transcriptomics. Essential aspects of locomotion are thus readily induced and controlled without requiring extensive parameter optimization, and several experiments can now be explained mechanistically. Besides the described synaptic projections, we predict propagating "bumps" of activity during rhythms. Hence, this work implies universal spatial principles that may underlie motor circuits across species, and provide the link between cell types, connectivity, and behavior. Although this new theory does not incorporate all details, it is an invitation to rethink the neuroscience of spinal cord-driven movement. Biological sciences/Neuroscience/Motor control/Spinal cord Biological sciences/Neuroscience/Computational neuroscience/Network models Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files SVideo1FINAL.mp4 Interneuron projections in the mouse spinal cord. SVideo2FINAL.mp4 Spinal network simulation demonstrating the slowdown and halt of rhythmic activity. SVideo3FINAL.mp4 Building the projectome out of cell types. SVideo4FINAL.mp4 Network model of rodent spinal cord and simulation of motor activity. KomiMethods.pdf Methods and extended data figures Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6277936","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Biological Sciences - Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":482400082,"identity":"2f0f2080-9ab8-430e-9885-f9a70d1b8978","order_by":0,"name":"Rune 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In particular, the relationship between neuronal cell types, networks and functions has been difficult to establish. Here, we propose that spatial organization of the spinal cord itself is a key factor governing network-driven locomotor rhythms and patterns. First, an asymmetric \"Mexican hat\" connectivity -- i.e. an overall local excitation and longer-range inhibition with a longitudinal skew -- can account for the emergence of proper motor dynamics. Second, the role of segregation of cell types in the transversal plane is for descending fibers to find appropriate targets and control the network dynamics. We extract these principles via a model of the mouse spinal cord, where networks are constructed by probabilistic sampling of synaptic connections from cell-specific projection patterns, gleaned from literature. The cell-type distributions are derived from single-cell RNA sequencing combined with spatial transcriptomics. 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