Deconstructing the modular organization and real-time dynamics of mammalian spinal locomotor networks.

ABSTRACT: Locomotion empowers animals to move. Locomotor-initiating signals from the brain are funneled through descending neurons in the brainstem that act directly on spinal locomotor circuits. Little is known in mammals about which spinal circuits are targeted by the command and how this command is transformed into rhythmicity in the cord. Here we address these questions leveraging a mouse brainstem-spinal cord preparation from either sex that allows locating the locomotor command neurons with simultaneous Ca²⁺ imaging of spinal neurons. We show that a restricted brainstem area - encompassing the lateral paragigantocellular nucleus (LPGi) and caudal ventrolateral reticular nucleus (CVL) - contains glutamatergic neurons which directly initiate locomotion. Ca²⁺ imaging capture

SUBMITTER: Hsu LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9935527 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature