Multiple brain regions can elicit swimming, including the MLR (Mesencephalic Locomotor Region), DLR/VMD (Diencephalic Locomotor Region/Ventromedial Diencephalon), DLM (Dorsolateral Medulla), and RLR (Rostral Lateral Reticular Nucleus). These areas are thought to activate swimming via the reticulospinal (RS) system.
In more detail:
The aforementioned brain regions initiate swimming by activating the reticulospinal (RS) system. Reticulospinal neurons, in turn, directly project to spinal swim oscillator neurons. These spinal swim oscillator neurons are responsible for generating the rhythmic motor patterns needed for swimming.
Therefore, while several areas can elicit swimming, they often do so by influencing the reticulospinal system, which then directly controls the spinal circuits that govern the actual swimming movements.
