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The continuing case for the Renshaw cell
Author(s) -
Alvarez Francisco J.,
Fyffe Robert E. W.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.136200
Subject(s) - renshaw cell , interneuron , neuroscience , psychology , biology , inhibitory postsynaptic potential
Renshaw cell properties have been studied extensively for over 50 years, making them a uniquely well‐defined class of spinal interneuron. Recent work has revealed novel ways to identify Renshaw cells in situ and this in turn has promoted a range of studies that have determined their ontogeny and organization of synaptic inputs in unprecedented detail. In this review we illustrate how mature Renshaw cell properties and connectivity arise through a combination of activity‐dependent and genetically specified mechanisms. These new insights should aid the development of experimental strategies to manipulate Renshaw cells in spinal circuits and clarify their role in modulating motor output.