Surprising division of labor between neurons in the motor cortex, which could lead to a better understanding of neurological disorders – ScienceDaily



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A study by researchers at the University of Arkansas reveals that neurons in the motor cortex of the brain exhibit an unexpected division of labor, which could help scientists understand how the brain controls the body and how understand some neurological disorders.

The researchers studied the motor cortex neurons of rats and found that they divide into two groups: "externally focused" neurons that communicate with and control different parts of the body, and neurons. "Focused from the inside" that only communicate with each other. t send signals to other parts of the body. The researchers also discovered that, when they increased the inhibition of neurons in the motor cortex, externally-focused neurons shifted to internal concentration.

"Changes in inhibitory signaling are involved in many brain disorders," said Woodrow Shew, an badociate professor of physics. "When we increase the inhibition in the motor cortex, the neurons responsible for controlling the body become more inward-oriented. This means that the signals sent to the muscles by the motor cortex could be altered by internal signals." "messy" that are normally not present. "

Rett syndrome, a rare but serious neurological disorder, is one of the brain disorders badociated with increased inhibition. Shew plans to continue researching the implications of these findings for Rett's syndrome.

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Material provided by University of Arkansas. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.

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