Descending neuron population dynamics during odor-evoked and spontaneous limb-dependent behaviors.

ABSTRACT: Deciphering how the brain regulates motor circuits to control complex behaviors is an important, long-standing challenge in neuroscience. In the fly, Drosophila melanogaster, this is coordinated by a population of ~ 1100 descending neurons (DNs). Activating only a few DNs is known to be sufficient to drive complex behaviors like walking and grooming. However, what additional role the larger population of DNs plays during natural behaviors remains largely unknown. For example, they may modulate core behavioral commands or comprise parallel pathways that are engaged depending on sensory context. We evaluated these possibilities by recording populations of nearly 100 DNs in individual tethered flies while they generated limb-dependent behaviors, including walking and grooming. We found

SUBMITTER: Aymanns F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9605690 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature