The in vitro neonatal rat spinal cord preparation: a new insight into mammalian locomotor mechanisms

The in vitro neonatal rat spinal cord preparation is the first mammalian nervous system isolated from the brainstem to the caudal end of the spinal cord. It permits the study of the cellular properties of mammalian locomotor networks and is unique in containing all the nervous structures related to locomotion. Although being a very immature system, this model has been considered as an adult preparation in which mammalian locomotor central pattern generators can be studied in detail. Nevertheless, one can also follow the development of locomotor functions during the perinatal period. Contrary to the adult, all neuroactive substances can directly reach the cellular structures in the brainstem-spinal cord preparation. When a neuroactive substance is applied to the bath, a single rhythmic activity is recorded along the cord. In fact, three rhythms can be isolated: one at the cervical level for the forelimbs, one at the lumbar level for the hind limbs and one in the sacrococcygeal region for the tail. Studies carried out on this preparation deal with three major areas: (1) relations between spontaneous activity and maturation of spinal network, (2) organisation of the different spinal networks, (3) key role of the descending pathways.