Intermediate gray matter interneurons in the lumbar spinal cord play a critical and necessary role in coordinated locomotion.

ABSTRACT: Locomotion is a complex task involving excitatory and inhibitory circuitry in spinal gray matter. While genetic knockouts examine the function of individual spinal interneuron (SpIN) subtypes, the phenotype of combined SpIN loss remains to be explored. We modified a kainic acid lesion to damage intermediate gray matter (laminae V-VIII) in the lumbar spinal enlargement (spinal L2-L4) in female rats. A thorough, tailored behavioral evaluation revealed deficits in gross hindlimb function, skilled walking, coordination, balance and gait two weeks post-injury. Using a Random Forest algorithm, we combined these behavioral assessments into a highly predictive binary classification system that strongly correlated with structural deficits in the rostro-caudal axis. Machine-learning quantification c

SUBMITTER: Kuehn N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10617729 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature