Spinal Interneurons as Gatekeepers to Neuroplasticity after Injury or Disease

J Neurosci. 2021 Feb 3;41(5):845-854. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1654-20.2020. Epub 2021 Jan 20.

Abstract

Spinal interneurons are important facilitators and modulators of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions in the intact CNS. This heterogeneous population of neurons is now widely appreciated to be a key component of plasticity and recovery. This review highlights our current understanding of spinal interneuron heterogeneity, their contribution to control and modulation of motor and sensory functions, and how this role might change after traumatic spinal cord injury. We also offer a perspective for how treatments can optimize the contribution of interneurons to functional improvement.

Keywords: interneuron; plasticity; propriospinal; spinal cord.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • GABA Agonists / pharmacology
  • GABA Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Interneurons / drug effects
  • Interneurons / metabolism*
  • Interneurons / pathology
  • Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Nervous System Diseases / metabolism*
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / drug effects
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / drug therapy
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / metabolism*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / pathology

Substances

  • GABA Agonists