Trends in Neurosciences
Volume 13, Issue 12, December 1990, Pages 474-479
Journal home page for Trends in Neurosciences

Perspectives
Corticospinal, rubrospinal and rubro-olivary projections: a unifying hypothesis

https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-2236(90)90079-PGet rights and content

Abstract

There has been a dispute about the corticospinal and rubrospinal tracts for about 100 years. Both are descending motor pathways and have remarkably similar functional properties. It has been proposed previously that each system is primarily active in different movement contexts. The corticospinal tract is most involved when a new movement is being learnt, while the rubrospinal tract is preferentially active when automated movements are being executed. However, what structure decides which system should be in use? In this article Philip Kennedy discusses the evidence that the rubro-olivary tract switches between the two systems depending on the context of the movement.

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