Rewiring the spinal interneuron circuit

Molecular techniques allow scientists to rewire spinal interneuron circuits and study the effects.

In this example, knocking out the EphA4 gene in a mouse allows excitatory interneurons to send axons across the midline. The abnormal excitatory connections override the normal crossed inhibition, and the mouse now hops instead of trots.

Mutant mice lacking crossed inhibition hop

Dr. Thomas Jessell