Mini-brain in spine keeps us balanced

The cluster of spinal neurons integrates sensory information and unconsciously adjusts our muscles to maintain balance and avoid slipping.

US researchers identified the balance mechanism after mapping spinal cord circuits that process the sense of light touch.

A better understanding of the "mini-brain" could aid the development of treatments for spinal cord injury and diseases affecting motor skills and balance, say the scientists.

It could also lead to ways of preventing falls in the elderly.

Cord

Lead researcher Professor Martyn Goulding, from the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, said: "When we stand and walk, touch sensors on the soles of our feet detect subtle changes in pressure and movement. These sensors send signals to our spinal cord and then to the brain.

"Our study opens what was essentially a black box, as up until now we didn't know how these signals were encoded or processed in the spinal cord. Moreover, it was unclear how this touch information was merged with other sensory information to control movement and posture."

The neurons were at the centre of a "mini-brain" that integrates signals from the brain with sensory stimulation to make sure limbs move correctly, said the scientists, whose findings are reported in the journal Cell.

hnews@herald.ie