A group of scientists has found the secret of how humans prevent from slipping or keep their balance while walking on elevated or slippery paths. The researchers claim that there is a secondary brain in the spinal cord that makes necessary adjustments in the muscles and prevent slipping or falling.

According to the Salk News Release, researchers from Salk Institute, California have made the groundbreaking discovery of what they are calling as “mini-brain.” The scientists reportedly found a cluster of neurons located in spinal cord that helps in standing upright.

The paper was published on Jan. 29, 2015 in the journal called Cell. The paper explains how the scientists “map the neural circuitry of the spinal cord that processes the sense of light touch.”

“When we stand and walk, touch sensors on the soles of our feet detect subtle changes in pressure and movement. These sensors send signals to our spinal cord and then to the brain,” Martyn Goulding, a professor from Salk Institute and author of the paper, was quoted as saying.

Working with mice, Goulding's team identified the streams of information and signals that are sent to the brain through light touch transmission pathway. The team worked to identify type of neurons that are involved in the process. The report states that the study has solved the mystery of this “sensory-motor control system.”

The researchers reportedly used sophisticated imaging techniques for the study. The scientists identified the nerve fibres that transmit information from the sensors in the feet to the spinal cord where they are connected with group of neurons called RORα neurons. This bunch of neurons is further connected to the brain and function as “a critical link between the brain and the feet.” Besides, serving as link between brain and the touch sensors in the feet, it also connects to the neurons in the ventral spinal cord that monitors movement.

When these neurons were disabled in the animals, the scientists found out that these animals struggled to walk on narrow and elevated paths. They were clumsy in their activity than when their RORα neurons were intact.

“We think these neurons are responsible for combining all of this information to tell the feet how to move,” Steeve Bourane, a postdoctoral researcher and member of Goulding’s team, said. According to the scientists, the study could lead to the development of treatment and therapies for spinal cord injuries and ailments affecting motor skills and balance.

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