This interactive web atlas will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, enabling them to visualize neural circuits and generate hypotheses about movement control.

Bikoff noted that while some brain regions' functions are known, this research will help clarify the role of V1 interneurons in motor control.

A new study published in the journal Neuron addresses the intricate connections between the brain and spinal interneurons, particularly focusing on V1 interneurons that are crucial for motor control.

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital developed a three-dimensional atlas using serial two-photon tomography, mapping brain regions that connect to V1 spinal interneurons.

The study employed a genetically modified rabies virus to trace neural pathways from the brain to V1 interneurons, allowing for precise tracking of these connections.

Jay Bikoff, the corresponding author, emphasized that understanding how diverse interneurons influence motor neurons is essential for grasping movement control.

V1 interneurons function as 'switchboard operators,' relaying signals from the brain to motor neurons that control muscle contractions.

Co-first author Anand Kulkarni likened the challenge of understanding these complex neural connections to untangling a ball of Christmas lights, highlighting the evolutionary complexity involved.

Understanding the cellular targets of descending motor systems is crucial for comprehending overall movement control and behavior.

The study received support from the National Institutes of Health and ALSAC, with contributions from multiple authors affiliated with St. Jude, the University of Texas at Austin, and Stanford University.

This atlas not only enhances our understanding of the nervous system's anatomy but also provides insights into potential motor disorders.

By predicting networks linking brain structures to the spinal cord, the atlas enhances future investigations into the neural circuits governing movement.