New perspectives on spinal motor systems

The production and control of complex motor functions are usually attribute d to central brain structures such as cortex, basal ganglia and cerebellum. In traditional schemes the spinal cord is assigned a subservient function during the production of movement, playing a predominantly passive role by relaying the commands dictated to it by supraspinal systems. This review ch allenges this idea by presenting evidence that the spinal motor system is a n active participant in several aspects of the production of movement, cont ributing to functions normally ascribed to 'higher' brain regions.