Halt! Neural mechanisms of stopping decoded

Purposeful movement requires not only walking but also stopping at the correct time. While the neural mechanisms that control walking are well understood, those that control stopping remain largely unknown. Understanding how the brain and spinal cord regulate locomotion, including stopping, bears great potential to revolutionize movement rehabilitation, robotics, and treatments for movement disorders. Our research team recently discovered how neurons in the fly brain control stopping. We also found out that how a fly stops depends on why it stops.