Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Reaching for a glass of water and lifting it to take a sip is a simple action, but it takes intricate coordination of joints and muscles. Exactly how you execute that movement is determined unconsciously by communication between your brain and your spinal cord. Networks in the spinal cord can control certain innate movements — such as breathing, chewing or walking — independent from the brain. Scientists are exploring these networks to develop better treatments and enhance recovery from nervous system injuries.
This is a video from the 2022 Brain Awareness Video Contest.
Created by Cady Seavey
Reaching for a glass of water and lifting it to take a sip is a simple action, but it takes intricate coordination of joints and muscles. Exactly how you execute that movement is determined unconsciously by communication between your brain and your spinal cord. Networks in the spinal cord can control certain innate movements — such as breathing, chewing or walking — independent from the brain. Scientists are exploring these networks to develop better treatments and enhance recovery from nervous system injuries.
This is a video from the 2022 Brain Awareness Video Contest.
Created by Cady Seavey
