Neuroscientists have identified the specific spinal cord neurons that enable people with paralysis to walk again. In a Nature study from the NeuroRestore center, researchers found that a specialized group of interneurons expressing the Vsx2 gene is essential for restoring motor function after chronic spinal cord injury. Nine participants with long-term injuries underwent targeted epidural electrical stimulation combined with intensive rehabilitation. All nine regained or improved their ability to walk, and the gains persisted even after stimulation was switched off, indicating that spinal circuits had reorganized. Mapping the spinal cord in animal models showed that these Vsx2-expressing neurons are not required for normal walking in healthy animals but become critical for rebuilding motor pathways after injury. Activating them promoted recovery, while silencing them prevented it. The findings point toward more precise molecular therapies, implants, and rehabilitation approaches for people living with paralysis. [Kathe, C., Skinnider, M. A., Hutson, T. H., et al. (2022). The neurons that restore walking after paralysis. Nature, 611, 540–547. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05385-7]