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Rybak IA, Shevtsova NA, Markin SN, Prilutsky BI, Frigon A. Operation regimes of spinal circuits controlling locomotion and role of supraspinal drives and sensory feedback. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.21.586122. [PMID: 38585778 PMCID: PMC10996463 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.21.586122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Locomotion in mammals is directly controlled by the spinal neuronal network, operating under the control of supraspinal signals and somatosensory feedback that interact with each other. However, the functional architecture of the spinal locomotor network, its operation regimes, and the role of supraspinal and sensory feedback in different locomotor behaviors, including at different speeds, remain unclear. We developed a computational model of spinal locomotor circuits receiving supraspinal drives and limb sensory feedback that could reproduce multiple experimental data obtained in intact and spinal-transected cats during tied-belt and split-belt treadmill locomotion. We provide evidence that the spinal locomotor network operates in different regimes depending on locomotor speed. In an intact system, at slow speeds (< 0.4 m/s), the spinal network operates in a non-oscillating state-machine regime and requires sensory feedback or external inputs for phase transitions. Removing sensory feedback related to limb extension prevents locomotor oscillations at slow speeds. With increasing speed and supraspinal drives, the spinal network switches to a flexor-driven oscillatory regime and then to a classical half-center regime. Following spinal transection, the model predicts that the spinal network can only operate in the state-machine regime. Our results suggest that the spinal network operates in different regimes for slow exploratory and fast escape locomotor behaviors, making use of different control mechanisms.
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Stempel AV, Evans DA, Arocas OP, Claudi F, Lenzi SC, Kutsarova E, Margrie TW, Branco T. Tonically active GABAergic neurons in the dorsal periaqueductal gray control instinctive escape in mice. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3031-3039.e7. [PMID: 38936364 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Escape behavior is a set of locomotor actions that move an animal away from threat. While these actions can be stereotyped, it is advantageous for survival that they are flexible.1,2,3 For example, escape probability depends on predation risk and competing motivations,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and flight to safety requires continuous adjustments of trajectory and must terminate at the appropriate place and time.12,13,14,15,16 This degree of flexibility suggests that modulatory components, like inhibitory networks, act on the neural circuits controlling instinctive escape.17,18,19,20,21,22 In mice, the decision to escape from imminent threats is implemented by a feedforward circuit in the midbrain, where excitatory vesicular glutamate transporter 2-positive (VGluT2+) neurons in the dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) compute escape initiation and escape vigor.23,24,25 Here we tested the hypothesis that local GABAergic neurons within the dPAG control escape behavior by setting the excitability of the dPAG escape network. Using in vitro patch-clamp and in vivo neural activity recordings, we found that vesicular GABA transporter-positive (VGAT+) dPAG neurons fire action potentials tonically in the absence of synaptic inputs and are a major source of inhibition to VGluT2+ dPAG neurons. Activity in VGAT+ dPAG cells transiently decreases at escape onset and increases during escape, peaking at escape termination. Optogenetically increasing or decreasing VGAT+ dPAG activity changes the probability of escape when the stimulation is delivered at threat onset and the duration of escape when delivered after escape initiation. We conclude that the activity of tonically firing VGAT+ dPAG neurons sets a threshold for escape initiation and controls the execution of the flight action.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vanessa Stempel
- UCL Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, 25 Howland St, London W1T 4JG, UK; Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Max-von-Laue-Str. 4, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Dominic A Evans
- UCL Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, 25 Howland St, London W1T 4JG, UK; Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Max-von-Laue-Str. 4, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Oriol Pavón Arocas
- UCL Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, 25 Howland St, London W1T 4JG, UK
| | - Federico Claudi
- UCL Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, 25 Howland St, London W1T 4JG, UK
| | - Stephen C Lenzi
- UCL Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, 25 Howland St, London W1T 4JG, UK
| | - Elena Kutsarova
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Max-von-Laue-Str. 4, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Troy W Margrie
- UCL Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, 25 Howland St, London W1T 4JG, UK
| | - Tiago Branco
- UCL Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, 25 Howland St, London W1T 4JG, UK.
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Ryczko D. The Mesencephalic Locomotor Region: Multiple Cell Types, Multiple Behavioral Roles, and Multiple Implications for Disease. Neuroscientist 2024; 30:347-366. [PMID: 36575956 PMCID: PMC11107129 DOI: 10.1177/10738584221139136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) controls locomotion in vertebrates. In humans with Parkinson disease, locomotor deficits are increasingly associated with decreased activity in the MLR. This brainstem region, commonly considered to include the cuneiform and pedunculopontine nuclei, has been explored as a target for deep brain stimulation to improve locomotor function, but the results are variable, from modest to promising. However, the MLR is a heterogeneous structure, and identification of the best cell type to target is only beginning. Here, I review the studies that uncovered the role of genetically defined MLR cell types, and I highlight the cells whose activation improves locomotor function in animal models of Parkinson disease. The promising cell types to activate comprise some glutamatergic neurons in the cuneiform and caudal pedunculopontine nuclei, as well as some cholinergic neurons of the pedunculopontine nucleus. Activation of MLR GABAergic neurons should be avoided, since they stop locomotion or evoke bouts flanked with numerous stops. MLR is also considered a potential target in spinal cord injury, supranuclear palsy, primary progressive freezing of gait, or stroke. Better targeting of the MLR cell types should be achieved through optimized deep brain stimulation protocols, pharmacotherapy, or the development of optogenetics for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Ryczko
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Neurosciences Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
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Hu M, Xu F, Liu S, Yao Y, Xia Q, Zhu C, Zhang X, Tang H, Qaiser Z, Liu S, Tang Y. Aging pattern of the brainstem based on volumetric measurement and optimized surface shape analysis. Brain Imaging Behav 2024; 18:396-411. [PMID: 38155336 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00840-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The brainstem, a small and crucial structure, is connected to the cerebrum, spinal cord, and cerebellum, playing a vital role in regulating autonomic functions, transmitting motor and sensory information, and modulating cognitive processes, emotions, and consciousness. While previous research has indicated that changes in brainstem anatomy can serve as a biomarker for aging and neurodegenerative diseases, the structural changes that occur in the brainstem during normal aging remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the age- and sex-related differences in the global and local structural measures of the brainstem in 187 healthy adults (ranging in age from 18 to 70 years) using structural magnetic resonance imaging. The findings showed a significant negative age effect on the volume of the two major components of the brainstem: the medulla oblongata and midbrain. The shape analysis revealed that atrophy primarily occurs in specific structures, such as the pyramid, cerebral peduncle, superior and inferior colliculi. Surface area and shape analysis showed a trend of flattening in the aging brainstem. There were no significant differences between the sexes or sex-by-age interactions in brainstem structural measures. These findings provide a systematic description of age associations with brainstem structures in healthy adults and may provide a reference for future research on brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minqi Hu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Feifei Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Shizhou Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Qing Xia
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Caiting Zhu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Haiyan Tang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Zubair Qaiser
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Shuwei Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yuchun Tang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Research Center for Sectional and Imaging Anatomy, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Disorder, Shandong Key Laboratory of Digital Human and Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
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Chen H, Bleimeister IH, Nguyen EK, Li J, Cui AY, Stratton HJ, Smith KM, Baccei ML, Ross SE. The functional and anatomical characterization of three spinal output pathways of the anterolateral tract. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113829. [PMID: 38421871 PMCID: PMC11025583 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The nature of spinal output pathways that convey nociceptive information to the brain has been the subject of controversy. Here, we provide anatomical, molecular, and functional characterizations of two distinct anterolateral pathways: one, ascending in the lateral spinal cord, triggers nociceptive behaviors, and the other one, ascending in the ventral spinal cord, when inhibited, leads to sensorimotor deficits. Moreover, the lateral pathway consists of at least two subtypes. The first is a contralateral pathway that extends to the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and thalamus; the second is a bilateral pathway that projects to the bilateral parabrachial nucleus (PBN). Finally, we present evidence showing that activation of the contralateral pathway is sufficient for defensive behaviors such as running and freezing, whereas the bilateral pathway is sufficient for attending behaviors such as licking and guarding. This work offers insight into the complex organizational logic of the anterolateral system in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichao Chen
- Tsinghua Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Isabel H Bleimeister
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Eileen K Nguyen
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Research Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Abby Yilin Cui
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Harrison J Stratton
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kelly M Smith
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mark L Baccei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Research Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Sarah E Ross
- Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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6
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Farokhniaee A, Palmisano C, Del Vecchio Del Vecchio J, Pezzoli G, Volkmann J, Isaias IU. Gait-related beta-gamma phase amplitude coupling in the subthalamic nucleus of parkinsonian patients. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6674. [PMID: 38509158 PMCID: PMC10954750 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57252-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Analysis of coupling between the phases and amplitudes of neural oscillations has gained increasing attention as an important mechanism for large-scale brain network dynamics. In Parkinson's disease (PD), preliminary evidence indicates abnormal beta-phase coupling to gamma-amplitude in different brain areas, including the subthalamic nucleus (STN). We analyzed bilateral STN local field potentials (LFPs) in eight subjects with PD chronically implanted with deep brain stimulation electrodes during upright quiet standing and unperturbed walking. Phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) was computed using the Kullback-Liebler method, based on the modulation index. Neurophysiological recordings were correlated with clinical and kinematic measurements and individual molecular brain imaging studies ([123I]FP-CIT and single-photon emission computed tomography). We showed a dopamine-related increase in subthalamic beta-gamma PAC from standing to walking. Patients with poor PAC modulation and low PAC during walking spent significantly more time in the stance and double support phase of the gait cycle. Our results provide new insights into the subthalamic contribution to human gait and suggest cross-frequency coupling as a gateway mechanism to convey patient-specific information of motor control for human locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- AmirAli Farokhniaee
- Fondazione Grigioni Per Il Morbo Di Parkinson, Via Gianfranco Zuretti 35, 20125, Milano, Italy.
- Parkinson Institute Milan, ASST G. Pini CTO, Via Bignami 1, 20126, Milano, Italy.
| | - Chiara Palmisano
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, and Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 11, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Del Vecchio Del Vecchio
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, and Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 11, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gianni Pezzoli
- Fondazione Grigioni Per Il Morbo Di Parkinson, Via Gianfranco Zuretti 35, 20125, Milano, Italy
- Parkinson Institute Milan, ASST G. Pini CTO, Via Bignami 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Jens Volkmann
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, and Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 11, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ioannis U Isaias
- Parkinson Institute Milan, ASST G. Pini CTO, Via Bignami 1, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Würzburg, and Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 11, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
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7
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Tian T, Li H, Zhang S, Yang M. Characterization of sensory and motor dysfunction and morphological alterations in late stages of type 2 diabetic mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1374689. [PMID: 38532899 PMCID: PMC10964478 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1374689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes and lacks effective treatments. Although sensory dysfunction during the early stages of diabetes has been extensively studied in various animal models, the functional and morphological alterations in sensory and motor systems during late stages of diabetes remain largely unexplored. In the current work, we examined the influence of diabetes on sensory and motor function as well as morphological changes in late stages of diabetes. The obese diabetic Leprdb/db mice (db/db) were used for behavioral assessments and subsequent morphological examinations. The db/db mice exhibited severe sensory and motor behavioral defects at the age of 32 weeks, including significantly higher mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal latency of hindpaws compared with age-matched nondiabetic control animals. The impaired response to noxious stimuli was mainly associated with the remarkable loss of epidermal sensory fibers, particularly CGRP-positive nociceptive fibers. Unexpectedly, the area of CGRP-positive terminals in the spinal dorsal horn was dramatically increased in diabetic mice, which was presumably associated with microglial activation. In addition, the db/db mice showed significantly more foot slips and took longer time during the beam-walking examination compared with controls. Meanwhile, the running duration in the rotarod test was markedly reduced in db/db mice. The observed sensorimotor deficits and motor dysfunction were largely attributed to abnormal sensory feedback and muscle atrophy as well as attenuated neuromuscular transmission in aged diabetic mice. Morphological analysis of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) demonstrated partial denervation of NMJs and obvious fragmentation of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Intrafusal muscle atrophy and abnormal muscle spindle innervation were also detected in db/db mice. Additionally, the number of VGLUT1-positive excitatory boutons on motor neurons was profoundly increased in aged diabetic mice as compared to controls. Nevertheless, inhibitory synaptic inputs onto motor neurons were similar between the two groups. This excitation-inhibition imbalance in synaptic transmission might be implicated in the disturbed locomotion. Collectively, these results suggest that severe sensory and motor deficits are present in late stages of diabetes. This study contributes to our understanding of mechanisms underlying neurological dysfunction during diabetes progression and helps to identify novel therapeutic interventions for patients with diabetic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Tian
- School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Engineering, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Haofeng Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Sensen Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Maojun Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Cryo-EM Facility Center, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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8
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Brezovec BE, Berger AB, Hao YA, Chen F, Druckmann S, Clandinin TR. Mapping the neural dynamics of locomotion across the Drosophila brain. Curr Biol 2024; 34:710-726.e4. [PMID: 38242122 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Locomotion engages widely distributed networks of neurons. However, our understanding of the spatial architecture and temporal dynamics of the networks that underpin walking remains incomplete. We use volumetric two-photon imaging to map neural activity associated with walking across the entire brain of Drosophila. We define spatially clustered neural signals selectively associated with changes in either forward or angular velocity, demonstrating that neurons with similar behavioral selectivity are clustered. These signals reveal distinct topographic maps in diverse brain regions involved in navigation, memory, sensory processing, and motor control, as well as regions not previously linked to locomotion. We identify temporal trajectories of neural activity that sweep across these maps, including signals that anticipate future movement, representing the sequential engagement of clusters with different behavioral specificities. Finally, we register these maps to a connectome and identify neural networks that we propose underlie the observed signals, setting a foundation for subsequent circuit dissection. Overall, our work suggests a spatiotemporal framework for the emergence and execution of complex walking maneuvers and links this brain-wide neural activity to single neurons and local circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bella E Brezovec
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Fairchild D200, 299 W. Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrew B Berger
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Fairchild D200, 299 W. Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yukun A Hao
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Fairchild D200, 299 W. Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Fairchild D200, 299 W. Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shaul Druckmann
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Fairchild D200, 299 W. Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thomas R Clandinin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Fairchild D200, 299 W. Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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9
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Pallucchi I, Bertuzzi M, Madrid D, Fontanel P, Higashijima SI, El Manira A. Molecular blueprints for spinal circuit modules controlling locomotor speed in zebrafish. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:78-89. [PMID: 37919423 PMCID: PMC10774144 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01479-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The flexibility of motor actions is ingrained in the diversity of neurons and how they are organized into functional circuit modules, yet our knowledge of the molecular underpinning of motor circuit modularity remains limited. Here we use adult zebrafish to link the molecular diversity of motoneurons (MNs) and the rhythm-generating V2a interneurons (INs) with the modular circuit organization that is responsible for changes in locomotor speed. We show that the molecular diversity of MNs and V2a INs reflects their functional segregation into slow, intermediate or fast subtypes. Furthermore, we reveal shared molecular signatures between V2a INs and MNs of the three speed circuit modules. Overall, by characterizing how the molecular diversity of MNs and V2a INs relates to their function, connectivity and behavior, our study provides important insights not only into the molecular mechanisms for neuronal and circuit diversity for locomotor flexibility but also for charting circuits for motor actions in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Pallucchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Bertuzzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Madrid
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pierre Fontanel
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shin-Ichi Higashijima
- Division of Behavioral Neurobiology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Neuronal Networks Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), Okazaki, Japan
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10
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Winter CC, Jacobi A, Su J, Chung L, van Velthoven CTJ, Yao Z, Lee C, Zhang Z, Yu S, Gao K, Duque Salazar G, Kegeles E, Zhang Y, Tomihiro MC, Zhang Y, Yang Z, Zhu J, Tang J, Song X, Donahue RJ, Wang Q, McMillen D, Kunst M, Wang N, Smith KA, Romero GE, Frank MM, Krol A, Kawaguchi R, Geschwind DH, Feng G, Goodrich LV, Liu Y, Tasic B, Zeng H, He Z. A transcriptomic taxonomy of mouse brain-wide spinal projecting neurons. Nature 2023; 624:403-414. [PMID: 38092914 PMCID: PMC10719099 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06817-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The brain controls nearly all bodily functions via spinal projecting neurons (SPNs) that carry command signals from the brain to the spinal cord. However, a comprehensive molecular characterization of brain-wide SPNs is still lacking. Here we transcriptionally profiled a total of 65,002 SPNs, identified 76 region-specific SPN types, and mapped these types into a companion atlas of the whole mouse brain1. This taxonomy reveals a three-component organization of SPNs: (1) molecularly homogeneous excitatory SPNs from the cortex, red nucleus and cerebellum with somatotopic spinal terminations suitable for point-to-point communication; (2) heterogeneous populations in the reticular formation with broad spinal termination patterns, suitable for relaying commands related to the activities of the entire spinal cord; and (3) modulatory neurons expressing slow-acting neurotransmitters and/or neuropeptides in the hypothalamus, midbrain and reticular formation for 'gain setting' of brain-spinal signals. In addition, this atlas revealed a LIM homeobox transcription factor code that parcellates the reticulospinal neurons into five molecularly distinct and spatially segregated populations. Finally, we found transcriptional signatures of a subset of SPNs with large soma size and correlated these with fast-firing electrophysiological properties. Together, this study establishes a comprehensive taxonomy of brain-wide SPNs and provides insight into the functional organization of SPNs in mediating brain control of bodily functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla C Winter
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- PhD Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard-MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anne Jacobi
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- F. Hoffman-La Roche, pRED, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Junfeng Su
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leeyup Chung
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Zizhen Yao
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Changkyu Lee
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zicong Zhang
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shuguang Yu
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kun Gao
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Geraldine Duque Salazar
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Evgenii Kegeles
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- PhD Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Makenzie C Tomihiro
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yiming Zhang
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhiyun Yang
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Junjie Zhu
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jing Tang
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xuan Song
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan J Donahue
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qing Wang
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Ning Wang
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Gabriel E Romero
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelle M Frank
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra Krol
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Riki Kawaguchi
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lisa V Goodrich
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- Somatosensation and Pain Unit, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Hongkui Zeng
- Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Zhigang He
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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Swanson CW, Fling BW. Links between Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology with Turning Performance in People with Multiple Sclerosis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7629. [PMID: 37688084 PMCID: PMC10490793 DOI: 10.3390/s23177629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is accompanied by decreased mobility and various adaptations affecting neural structure and function. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to understand how motor cortex thickness and corticospinal excitation and inhibition contribute to turning performance in healthy controls and people with multiple sclerosis. In total, 49 participants (23 controls, 26 multiple sclerosis) were included in the final analysis of this study. All participants were instructed to complete a series of turns while wearing wireless inertial sensors. Motor cortex gray matter thickness was measured via magnetic resonance imaging. Corticospinal excitation and inhibition were assessed via transcranial magnetic stimulation and electromyography place on the tibialis anterior muscles bilaterally. People with multiple sclerosis demonstrated reduced turning performance for a variety of turning variables. Further, we observed significant cortical thinning of the motor cortex in the multiple sclerosis group. People with multiple sclerosis demonstrated no significant reductions in excitatory neurotransmission, whereas a reduction in inhibitory activity was observed. Significant correlations were primarily observed in the multiple sclerosis group, demonstrating lateralization to the left hemisphere. The results showed that both cortical thickness and inhibitory activity were associated with turning performance in people with multiple sclerosis and may indicate that people with multiple sclerosis rely on different neural resources to perform dynamic movements typically associated with fall risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton W. Swanson
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA;
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Brett W. Fling
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
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12
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Ijspeert AJ, Daley MA. Integration of feedforward and feedback control in the neuromechanics of vertebrate locomotion: a review of experimental, simulation and robotic studies. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245784. [PMID: 37565347 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Animal locomotion is the result of complex and multi-layered interactions between the nervous system, the musculo-skeletal system and the environment. Decoding the underlying mechanisms requires an integrative approach. Comparative experimental biology has allowed researchers to study the underlying components and some of their interactions across diverse animals. These studies have shown that locomotor neural circuits are distributed in the spinal cord, the midbrain and higher brain regions in vertebrates. The spinal cord plays a key role in locomotor control because it contains central pattern generators (CPGs) - systems of coupled neuronal oscillators that provide coordinated rhythmic control of muscle activation that can be viewed as feedforward controllers - and multiple reflex loops that provide feedback mechanisms. These circuits are activated and modulated by descending pathways from the brain. The relative contributions of CPGs, feedback loops and descending modulation, and how these vary between species and locomotor conditions, remain poorly understood. Robots and neuromechanical simulations can complement experimental approaches by testing specific hypotheses and performing what-if scenarios. This Review will give an overview of key knowledge gained from comparative vertebrate experiments, and insights obtained from neuromechanical simulations and robotic approaches. We suggest that the roles of CPGs, feedback loops and descending modulation vary among animals depending on body size, intrinsic mechanical stability, time required to reach locomotor maturity and speed effects. We also hypothesize that distal joints rely more on feedback control compared with proximal joints. Finally, we highlight important opportunities to address fundamental biological questions through continued collaboration between experimentalists and engineers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auke J Ijspeert
- BioRobotics Laboratory, EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Monica A Daley
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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13
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Dubuc R, Cabelguen JM, Ryczko D. Locomotor pattern generation and descending control: a historical perspective. J Neurophysiol 2023; 130:401-416. [PMID: 37465884 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00204.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to generate and control locomotor movements depends on complex interactions between many areas of the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system, and the environment. How the nervous system manages to accomplish this task has been the subject of investigation for more than a century. In vertebrates, locomotion is generated by neural networks located in the spinal cord referred to as central pattern generators. Descending inputs from the brain stem initiate, maintain, and stop locomotion as well as control speed and direction. Sensory inputs adapt locomotor programs to the environmental conditions. This review presents a comparative and historical overview of some of the neural mechanisms underlying the control of locomotion in vertebrates. We have put an emphasis on spinal mechanisms and descending control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Réjean Dubuc
- Groupe de Recherche en Activité Physique Adaptée, Département des Sciences de l'Activité Physique, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Marie Cabelguen
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U 1215-Neurocentre Magendie, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Cedex, France
| | - Dimitri Ryczko
- Département de Pharmacologie-Physiologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Neurosciences Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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14
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Lozovaya N, Eftekhari S, Hammond C. The early excitatory action of striatal cholinergic-GABAergic microcircuits conditions the subsequent GABA inhibitory shift. Commun Biol 2023; 6:723. [PMID: 37452171 PMCID: PMC10349145 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic interneurons of the striatum play a role in action selection and associative learning by activating local GABAergic inhibitory microcircuits. We investigated whether cholinergic-GABAergic microcircuits function differently and fulfill a different role during early postnatal development, when GABAA actions are not inhibitory and mice pups do not walk. We focused our study mainly on dual cholinergic/GABAergic interneurons (CGINs). We report that morphological and intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CGINs rapidly develop during the first post-natal week. At this stage, CGINs are excited by the activation of GABAA receptors or GABAergic synaptic inputs, respond to cortical stimulation by a long excitation and are linked by polysynaptic excitations. All these excitations are replaced by inhibitions at P12-P15. Early chronic treatment with the NKCC1 antagonist bumetanide to evoke premature GABAergic inhibitions from P4 to P8, prevented the GABA polarity shift and corticostriatal pause response at control postnatal days. We propose that early excitatory cholinergic-GABAergic microcircuits are instrumental in the maturation of GABAergic inhibition.
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15
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Shroff SN, Lowet E, Sridhar S, Gritton HJ, Abumuaileq M, Tseng HA, Cheung C, Zhou SL, Kondabolu K, Han X. Striatal cholinergic interneuron membrane voltage tracks locomotor rhythms in mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3802. [PMID: 37365189 PMCID: PMC10293266 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39497-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhythmic neural network activity has been broadly linked to behavior. However, it is unclear how membrane potentials of individual neurons track behavioral rhythms, even though many neurons exhibit pace-making properties in isolated brain circuits. To examine whether single-cell voltage rhythmicity is coupled to behavioral rhythms, we focused on delta-frequencies (1-4 Hz) that are known to occur at both the neural network and behavioral levels. We performed membrane voltage imaging of individual striatal neurons simultaneously with network-level local field potential recordings in mice during voluntary movement. We report sustained delta oscillations in the membrane potentials of many striatal neurons, particularly cholinergic interneurons, which organize spikes and network oscillations at beta-frequencies (20-40 Hz) associated with locomotion. Furthermore, the delta-frequency patterned cellular dynamics are coupled to animals' stepping cycles. Thus, delta-rhythmic cellular dynamics in cholinergic interneurons, known for their autonomous pace-making capabilities, play an important role in regulating network rhythmicity and movement patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaya N Shroff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Lowet
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sudiksha Sridhar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Howard J Gritton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | | | - Hua-An Tseng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cyrus Cheung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel L Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Xue Han
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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16
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Wu Q, Zhang Y. Neural Circuit Mechanisms Involved in Animals' Detection of and Response to Visual Threats. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:994-1008. [PMID: 36694085 PMCID: PMC10264346 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01021-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Evading or escaping from predators is one of the most crucial issues for survival across the animal kingdom. The timely detection of predators and the initiation of appropriate fight-or-flight responses are innate capabilities of the nervous system. Here we review recent progress in our understanding of innate visually-triggered defensive behaviors and the underlying neural circuit mechanisms, and a comparison among vinegar flies, zebrafish, and mice is included. This overview covers the anatomical and functional aspects of the neural circuits involved in this process, including visual threat processing and identification, the selection of appropriate behavioral responses, and the initiation of these innate defensive behaviors. The emphasis of this review is on the early stages of this pathway, namely, threat identification from complex visual inputs and how behavioral choices are influenced by differences in visual threats. We also briefly cover how the innate defensive response is processed centrally. Based on these summaries, we discuss coding strategies for visual threats and propose a common prototypical pathway for rapid innate defensive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiwen Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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17
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Oyaga MR, Serra I, Kurup D, Koekkoek SKE, Badura A. Delay eyeblink conditioning performance and brain-wide c-Fos expression in male and female mice. Open Biol 2023; 13:220121. [PMID: 37161289 PMCID: PMC10170203 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Delay eyeblink conditioning has been extensively used to study associative learning and the cerebellar circuits underlying this task have been largely identified. However, there is a little knowledge on how factors such as strain, sex and innate behaviour influence performance during this type of learning. In this study, we used male and female mice of C57BL/6J (B6) and B6CBAF1 strains to investigate the effect of sex, strain and locomotion in delay eyeblink conditioning. We performed a short and a long delay eyeblink conditioning paradigm and used a c-Fos immunostaining approach to explore the involvement of different brain areas in this task. We found that both B6 and B6CBAF1 females reach higher learning scores compared to males in the initial stages of learning. This sex-dependent difference was no longer present as the learning progressed. Moreover, we found a strong positive correlation between learning scores and voluntary locomotion irrespective of the training duration. c-Fos immunostainings after the short paradigm showed positive correlations between c-Fos expression and learning scores in the cerebellar cortex and brainstem, as well as previously unreported areas. By contrast, after the long paradigm, c-Fos expression was only significantly elevated in the brainstem. Taken together, we show that differences in voluntary locomotion and activity across brain areas correlate with performance in delay eyeblink conditioning across strains and sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Roa Oyaga
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ines Serra
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Devika Kurup
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Aleksandra Badura
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Royal Dutch Academy for Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam 1105 BA, the Netherlands
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18
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Del Vecchio A, Marconi Germer C, Kinfe TM, Nuccio S, Hug F, Eskofier B, Farina D, Enoka RM. The Forces Generated by Agonist Muscles during Isometric Contractions Arise from Motor Unit Synergies. J Neurosci 2023; 43:2860-2873. [PMID: 36922028 PMCID: PMC10124954 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1265-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to identify the low-dimensional latent components, defined hereafter as motor unit modes, underlying the discharge rates of the motor units in two knee extensors (vastus medialis and lateralis, eight men) and two hand muscles (first dorsal interossei and thenars, seven men and one woman) during submaximal isometric contractions. Factor analysis identified two independent motor unit modes that captured most of the covariance of the motor unit discharge rates. We found divergent distributions of the motor unit modes for the hand and vastii muscles. On average, 75% of the motor units for the thenar muscles and first dorsal interosseus were strongly correlated with the module for the muscle in which they resided. In contrast, we found a continuous distribution of motor unit modes spanning the two vastii muscle modules. The proportion of the muscle-specific motor unit modes was 60% for vastus medialis and 45% for vastus lateralis. The other motor units were either correlated with both muscle modules (shared inputs) or belonged to the module for the other muscle (15% for vastus lateralis). Moreover, coherence of the discharge rates between motor unit pools was explained by the presence of shared synaptic inputs. In simulations with 480 integrate-and-fire neurons, we demonstrate that factor analysis identifies the motor unit modes with high levels of accuracy. Our results indicate that correlated discharge rates of motor units that comprise motor unit modes arise from at least two independent sources of common input among the motor neurons innervating synergistic muscles.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT It has been suggested that the nervous system controls synergistic muscles by projecting common synaptic inputs to the engaged motor neurons. In our study, we reduced the dimensionality of the output produced by pools of synergistic motor neurons innervating the hand and thigh muscles during isometric contractions. We found two neural modules, each representing a different common input, that were each specific for one of the muscles. In the vastii muscles, we found a continuous distribution of motor unit modes spanning the two synergistic muscles. Some of the motor units from the homonymous vastii muscle were controlled by the dominant neural module of the other synergistic muscle. In contrast, we found two distinct neural modules for the hand muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Del Vecchio
- Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carina Marconi Germer
- Department of Bioengineering, Federal University of Pernambuco, CEP 50670-901 Recife, Brazil
| | - Thomas M Kinfe
- Division of Functional Neurosurgery and Stereotaxy, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefano Nuccio
- Department Human Movement Science, University of Rome Foro Italico, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - François Hug
- Le Laboratoire Motricité Humaine Expertise Sport Santé, Université Côte d'Azur, 06103 Nice, France
| | - Bjoern Eskofier
- Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dario Farina
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Roger M Enoka
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado CO 80309
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19
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Chen YT, Arano R, Guo J, Saleem U, Li Y, Xu W. Inhibitory hippocampus-medial septum projection controls locomotion and exploratory behavior. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1042858. [PMID: 37091878 PMCID: PMC10116069 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1042858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the hippocampus is generally considered a cognitive center for spatial representation, learning, and memory, increasing evidence supports its roles in regulating locomotion. However, the neuronal mechanisms of the hippocampal regulation of locomotion and exploratory behavior remain unclear. In this study, we found that the inhibitory hippocampal synaptic projection to the medial septum (MS) bi-directionally controls the locomotor speed of mice. The activation of the MS-projecting interneurons in the hippocampus or the activation of the hippocampus-originated inhibitory synaptic terminals in the MS decreased locomotion and exploratory behavior. On the other hand, the inhibition of the hippocampus-originated inhibitory synaptic terminals in the MS increased locomotion. Unlike the septal projecting interneurons, the activation of the hippocampal interneurons projecting to the retrosplenial cortex did not change animal locomotion. Therefore, this study reveals a specific long-range inhibitory synaptic output from the hippocampus to the medial septum in the regulation of animal locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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20
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Brainstem circuits encoding start, speed, and duration of swimming in adult zebrafish. Neuron 2023; 111:372-386.e4. [PMID: 36413988 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.10.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The flexibility of locomotor movements requires an accurate control of their start, duration, and speed. How brainstem circuits encode and convey these locomotor parameters remains unclear. Here, we have combined in vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, anatomy, and behavior in adult zebrafish to address these questions. We reveal that the detailed parameters of locomotor movements are encoded by two molecularly, topographically, and functionally segregated glutamatergic neuron subpopulations within the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus. The start, duration, and changes of locomotion speed are encoded by vGlut2+ neurons, whereas vGlut1+ neurons encode sudden changes to high speed/high amplitude movements. Ablation of vGlut2+ neurons compromised slow-explorative swimming, whereas vGlut1+ neuron ablation impaired fast swimming. Our results provide mechanistic insights into how separate brainstem subpopulations implement flexible locomotor commands. These two brainstem command subpopulations are suitably organized to integrate environmental cues and hence generate flexible swimming movements to match the animal's behavioral needs.
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21
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Fidelin K, Arber S. Brainstem circuits help zebrafish get into the swim of things. Neuron 2023; 111:294-296. [PMID: 36731426 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In this issue of Neuron, Berg et al.1 investigate the functional contribution of two molecularly distinct subpopulations of spinal-projecting midbrain neurons in adult zebrafish, shedding light on mechanisms regulating properties of locomotion such as speed and bout duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Fidelin
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Arber
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
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22
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Wang HY, Yu K, Yang Z, Zhang G, Guo SQ, Wang T, Liu DD, Jia RN, Zheng YT, Su YN, Lou Y, Weiss KR, Zhou HB, Liu F, Cropper EC, Yu Q, Jing J. A Single Central Pattern Generator for the Control of a Locomotor Rolling Wave in Mollusc Aplysia. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0060. [PMID: 36930762 PMCID: PMC10013812 DOI: 10.34133/research.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Locomotion in mollusc Aplysia is implemented by a pedal rolling wave, a type of axial locomotion. Well-studied examples of axial locomotion (pedal waves in Drosophila larvae and body waves in leech, lamprey, and fish) are generated in a segmented nervous system via activation of multiple coupled central pattern generators (CPGs). Pedal waves in molluscs, however, are generated by a single pedal ganglion, and it is unknown whether there are single or multiple CPGs that generate rhythmic activity and phase shifts between different body parts. During locomotion in intact Aplysia, bursting activity in the parapedal commissural nerve (PPCN) was found to occur during tail contraction. A cluster of 20 to 30 P1 root neurons (P1Ns) on the ventral surface of the pedal ganglion, active during the pedal wave, were identified. Computational cluster analysis revealed that there are 2 phases to the motor program: phase I (centered around 168°) and phase II (centered around 357°). PPCN activity occurs during phase II. The majority of P1Ns are motoneurons. Coactive P1Ns tend to be electrically coupled. Two classes of pedal interneurons (PIs) were characterized. Class 1 (PI1 and PI2) is active during phase I. Their axons make a loop within the pedal ganglion and contribute to locomotor pattern generation. They are electrically coupled to P1Ns that fire during phase I. Class 2 (PI3) is active during phase II and innervates the contralateral pedal ganglion. PI3 may contribute to bilateral coordination. Overall, our findings support the idea that Aplysia pedal waves are generated by a single CPG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Ke Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Zhe Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Guo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Shi-Qi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Tao Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Department of Physics, Institute for Brain Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Dan-Dan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Ruo-Nan Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yu-Tong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yan-Nan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yi Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Klaudiusz R Weiss
- Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Hai-Bo Zhou
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Feng Liu
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Department of Physics, Institute for Brain Sciences, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Elizabeth C Cropper
- Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Quan Yu
- Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Jian Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Institute for Brain Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.,Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.,Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen 518000, China
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23
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Larbi MC, Messa G, Jalal H, Koutsikou S. An early midbrain sensorimotor pathway is involved in the timely initiation and direction of swimming in the hatchling Xenopus laevis tadpole. Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:1027831. [PMID: 36619662 PMCID: PMC9810627 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.1027831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate locomotion is heavily dependent on descending control originating in the midbrain and subsequently influencing central pattern generators in the spinal cord. However, the midbrain neuronal circuitry and its connections with other brainstem and spinal motor circuits has not been fully elucidated. Vertebrates with very simple nervous system, like the hatchling Xenopus laevis tadpole, have been instrumental in unravelling fundamental principles of locomotion and its suspraspinal control. Here, we use behavioral and electrophysiological approaches in combination with lesions of the midbrain to investigate its contribution to the initiation and control of the tadpole swimming in response to trunk skin stimulation. None of the midbrain lesions studied here blocked the tadpole's sustained swim behavior following trunk skin stimulation. However, we identified that distinct midbrain lesions led to significant changes in the latency and trajectory of swimming. These changes could partly be explained by the increase in synchronous muscle contractions on the opposite sides of the tadpole's body and permanent deflection of the tail from its normal position, respectively. We conclude that the tadpole's embryonic trunk skin sensorimotor pathway involves the midbrain, which harbors essential neuronal circuitry to significantly contribute to the appropriate, timely and coordinated selection and execution of locomotion, imperative to the animal's survival.
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Nishimaru H, Matsumoto J, Setogawa T, Nishijo H. Neuronal structures controlling locomotor behavior during active and inactive motor states. Neurosci Res 2022; 189:83-93. [PMID: 36549389 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Animal behaviors can be divided into two states according to their motor activity: the active motor state, which involves significant body movements, and the inactive motor state, which refers to when the animal is stationary. The timing and duration of these states are determined by the activity of the neuronal circuits involved in motor control. Among these motor circuits, those that generate locomotion are some of the most studied neuronal networks and are widely distributed from the spinal cord to the cerebral cortex. In this review, we discuss recent discoveries, mainly in rodents using state-of-the-art experimental approaches, of the neuronal mechanisms underlying the initiation and termination of locomotion in the brainstem, basal ganglia, and prefrontal cortex. These findings is discussed with reference to studies on the neuronal mechanism of motor control during sleep and the modulation of cortical states in these structures. Accumulating evidence has unraveled the complex yet highly structured network that controls the transition between motor states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Nishimaru
- System Emotional Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Graduate school of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Research Center for Idling Brain Science (RCIBS), University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
| | - Jumpei Matsumoto
- System Emotional Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Graduate school of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Research Center for Idling Brain Science (RCIBS), University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Setogawa
- System Emotional Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Graduate school of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Research Center for Idling Brain Science (RCIBS), University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Hisao Nishijo
- System Emotional Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Graduate school of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan; Research Center for Idling Brain Science (RCIBS), University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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25
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Kathe C, Skinnider MA, Hutson TH, Regazzi N, Gautier M, Demesmaeker R, Komi S, Ceto S, James ND, Cho N, Baud L, Galan K, Matson KJE, Rowald A, Kim K, Wang R, Minassian K, Prior JO, Asboth L, Barraud Q, Lacour SP, Levine AJ, Wagner F, Bloch J, Squair JW, Courtine G. The neurons that restore walking after paralysis. Nature 2022; 611:540-547. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05385-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA spinal cord injury interrupts pathways from the brain and brainstem that project to the lumbar spinal cord, leading to paralysis. Here we show that spatiotemporal epidural electrical stimulation (EES) of the lumbar spinal cord1–3 applied during neurorehabilitation4,5 (EESREHAB) restored walking in nine individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. This recovery involved a reduction in neuronal activity in the lumbar spinal cord of humans during walking. We hypothesized that this unexpected reduction reflects activity-dependent selection of specific neuronal subpopulations that become essential for a patient to walk after spinal cord injury. To identify these putative neurons, we modelled the technological and therapeutic features underlying EESREHAB in mice. We applied single-nucleus RNA sequencing6–9 and spatial transcriptomics10,11 to the spinal cords of these mice to chart a spatially resolved molecular atlas of recovery from paralysis. We then employed cell type12,13 and spatial prioritization to identify the neurons involved in the recovery of walking. A single population of excitatory interneurons nested within intermediate laminae emerged. Although these neurons are not required for walking before spinal cord injury, we demonstrate that they are essential for the recovery of walking with EES following spinal cord injury. Augmenting the activity of these neurons phenocopied the recovery of walking enabled by EESREHAB, whereas ablating them prevented the recovery of walking that occurs spontaneously after moderate spinal cord injury. We thus identified a recovery-organizing neuronal subpopulation that is necessary and sufficient to regain walking after paralysis. Moreover, our methodology establishes a framework for using molecular cartography to identify the neurons that produce complex behaviours.
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26
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McNamara CG, Rothwell M, Sharott A. Stable, interactive modulation of neuronal oscillations produced through brain-machine equilibrium. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111616. [PMID: 36351413 PMCID: PMC7614081 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Closed-loop interaction has the potential to regulate ongoing brain activity by continuously binding an external stimulation to specific dynamics of a neural circuit. Achieving interactive modulation requires a stable brain-machine feedback loop. Here, we demonstrate that it is possible to maintain oscillatory brain activity in a desired state by delivering stimulation accurately aligned with the timing of each cycle. We develop a fast algorithm that responds on a cycle-by-cycle basis to stimulate basal ganglia nuclei at predetermined phases of successive cortical beta cycles in parkinsonian rats. Using this approach, an equilibrium emerges between the modified brain signal and feedback-dependent stimulation pattern, leading to sustained amplification or suppression of the oscillation depending on the phase targeted. Beta amplification slows movement speed by biasing the animal's mode of locomotion. Together, these findings show that highly responsive, phase-dependent stimulation can achieve a stable brain-machine interaction that leads to robust modulation of ongoing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin G McNamara
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK.
| | - Max Rothwell
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK
| | - Andrew Sharott
- MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TH, UK.
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27
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Perioperative Brain Function Monitoring with Electroencephalography in Horses Anesthetized with Multimodal Balanced Anesthetic Protocol Subjected to Surgeries. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202851. [PMID: 36290236 PMCID: PMC9597736 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study aimed to investigate the use of electroencephalography (EEG) and EEG-derived (processed) indices for detecting brain activity changes perioperatively in 12 anesthetized adult horses subjected to various surgery. Frontal electrodes together with Sedline/Root monitor were used on these horses from soon after anesthesia induction and continued until the horse first attempted to stand in recovery. The EEG waves were characterized by low-frequency high amplitude alpha, theta, and alpha waves during the isoflurane maintenance and surgery, which is commonly observed in profound anesthesia. The processed EEG indices including Patient State Index, Burst Suppression Ratio, and 95% Spectral Edge Frequency changed significantly between the stages (induction, surgery, and recovery) of anesthesia. Collectively, the presence of the slow EEG wave activities and the presence of burst suppression implies that these horses were profoundly unconscious during the anesthesia. We concluded that the use of EEG in conjunction with traditional cardiorespiratory monitoring provides clinically relevant information about perioperative brain state changes in the anesthetized horses. Abstract This study aimed to investigate the use of electroencephalography (EEG) for detecting brain activity changes perioperatively in anesthetized horses subjected to surgery. Twelve adult horses undergoing various surgeries were evaluated after premedication with xylazine and butorphanol, induction with ketamine, midazolam, and guaifenesin, and maintenance with isoflurane. The frontal EEG electrodes were placed after the horse was intubated and mechanically ventilated. The EEG data were collected continuously from Stage (S)1—transition from induction to isoflurane maintenance, S2—during surgery, S3—early recovery before xylazine sedation (0.2 mg kg IV), and S4—recovery after xylazine sedation. The Patient State Index (PSI), (Burst) Suppression Ratio (SR), and 95% Spectral Edge Frequency (SEF95) were compared across the stages. The PSI was lowest in S2 (20.8 ± 2.6) and increased to 30.0 ± 27.7 (p = 0.005) in S3. The SR increased from S1 (5.5 ± 10.7%) to S3 (32.7 ± 33.8%, p = 0.0001). The spectral power analysis showed that S3 had a significantly higher content of delta wave activity (0.1–4 Hz) in the EEG and lower relative power in the 3 Hz to 15 Hz range when compared to S1 and S2. A similar result was observed in S4, but the lower power was in a narrower range, from 3 Hz to 7 Hz, which indicate profound central nervous system depression potentiated by xylazine, despite the cessation of isoflurane anesthesia. We concluded that the use of EEG provides clinically relevant information about perioperative brain state changes of the isoflurane-anesthetized horse.
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28
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Adam EM, Johns T, Sur M. Dynamic control of visually guided locomotion through corticosubthalamic projections. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111139. [PMID: 35905719 PMCID: PMC9395210 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Goal-directed locomotion requires control signals that propagate from higher order areas to regulate spinal mechanisms. The corticosubthalamic hyperdirect pathway offers a short route for cortical information to reach locomotor centers in the brainstem. We developed a task in which head-fixed mice run to a visual landmark and then stop and wait to collect the reward and examined the role of secondary motor cortex (M2) projections to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in controlling locomotion. Our behavioral modeling, calcium imaging, and optogenetics manipulation results suggest that the M2-STN pathway can be recruited during visually guided locomotion to rapidly and precisely control the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) of the mesencephalic locomotor region through the basal ganglia. By capturing the physiological dynamics through a feedback control model and analyzing neuronal signals in M2, PPN, and STN, we find that the corticosubthalamic projections potentially control PPN activity by differentiating an M2 error signal to ensure fast input-output dynamics. Using a combination of optogenetics, 2-photon imaging, extracellular recordings, and control theoretic models in behaving mice, Adam et al. find that the M2-STN projection sends stop signals to halt visually guided locomotion and potentially controls the MLR/PPN through SNr by differentiating an M2 error signal for the rapid control of locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie M Adam
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Taylor Johns
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mriganka Sur
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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29
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Åbjørsbråten KS, Skaaraas GHE, Cunen C, Bjørnstad DM, Binder KM, Bojarskaite L, Jensen V, Nilsson LNG, Rao SB, Tang W, Hermansen GH, Nagelhus EA, Ottersen OP, Torp R, Enger R. Impaired astrocytic Ca 2+ signaling in awake-behaving Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice. eLife 2022; 11:75055. [PMID: 35833623 PMCID: PMC9352348 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased astrocytic Ca2+ signaling has been shown in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models, but to date no reports have characterized behaviorally induced astrocytic Ca2+ signaling in such mice. Here, we employ an event-based algorithm to assess astrocytic Ca2+ signals in the neocortex of awake-behaving tg-ArcSwe mice and non-transgenic wildtype littermates while monitoring pupil responses and behavior. We demonstrate an attenuated astrocytic Ca2+ response to locomotion and an uncoupling of pupil responses and astrocytic Ca2+ signaling in 15-month-old plaque-bearing mice. Using the genetically encoded fluorescent norepinephrine sensor GRABNE, we demonstrate a reduced norepinephrine signaling during spontaneous running and startle responses in the transgenic mice, providing a possible mechanistic underpinning of the observed reduced astrocytic Ca2+ responses. Our data points to a dysfunction in the norepinephrine–astrocyte Ca2+ activity axis, which may account for some of the cognitive deficits observed in Alzheimer’s disease. Neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease are characterized by neurons dying and being damaged. Yet neurons are only one type of brain actors; astrocytes, for example, are star-shaped ‘companion’ cells that have recently emerged as being able to fine-tune neuronal communication. In particular, they can respond to norepinephrine, a signaling molecule that acts to prepare the brain and body for action. This activation results, for instance, in astrocytes releasing chemicals that can act on neurons. Certain cognitive symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease could be due to a lack of norepinephrine. In parallel, studies in anaesthetized mice have shown perturbed astrocyte signaling in a model of the condition. Disrupted norepinephrine-triggered astrocyte signaling could therefore be implicated in the symptoms of the disease. Experiments in awake mice are needed to investigate this link, especially as anesthesia is known to disrupt the activity of astrocytes. To explore this question, Åbjørsbråten, Skaaraas et al. conducted experiments in naturally behaving mice expressing mutations found in patients with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. These mice develop hallmarks of the disorder. Compared to their healthy counterparts, these animals had reduced astrocyte signaling when running or being startled. Similarly, a fluorescent molecular marker for norepinephrine demonstrated less signaling in the modified mice compared to healthy ones. Over 55 million individuals currently live with Alzheimer’s disease. The results by Åbjørsbråten, Skaaraas et al. suggest that astrocyte–norepinephrine communication may be implicated in the condition, an avenue of research that could potentially lead to developing new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gry H E Skaaraas
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Céline Cunen
- Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Kristin M Binder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Vidar Jensen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Shreyas B Rao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wannan Tang
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Reidun Torp
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rune Enger
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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30
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Picton LD, Björnfors ER, Fontanel P, Pallucchi I, Bertuzzi M, El Manira A. Developmental switch in the function of inhibitory commissural V0d interneurons in zebrafish. Curr Biol 2022; 32:3515-3528.e4. [PMID: 35853456 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.06.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
During development, all animals undergo major adaptations to accommodate behavioral flexibility and diversity. How these adaptations are reflected in the changes in the motor circuits controlling our behaviors remains poorly understood. Here, we show, using a combination of techniques applied at larval and adult zebrafish stages, that the pattern-generating V0d inhibitory interneurons within the locomotor circuit undergo a developmental switch in their role. In larvae, we show that V0d interneurons have a primary function in high-speed motor behavior yet are redundant for explorative swimming. By contrast, adult V0d interneurons have diversified into speed-dependent subclasses, with an overrepresentation of those active at the slowest speeds. The ablation of V0d interneurons in adults disrupts slow explorative swimming, which is associated with a loss of mid-cycle inhibition onto target motoneurons. Thus, we reveal a developmental switch in V0d interneuron function from a role in high-speed motor behavior to a function in timing and thus coordinating slow explorative locomotion. Our study suggests that early motor circuit composition is not predictive of the adult system but instead undergoes major functional transformations during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence D Picton
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Pierre Fontanel
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Irene Pallucchi
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Bertuzzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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31
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Wolpaw JR, Kamesar A. Heksor: The CNS substrate of an adaptive behavior. J Physiol 2022; 600:3423-3452. [PMID: 35771667 PMCID: PMC9545119 DOI: 10.1113/jp283291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past half‐century, the largely hardwired central nervous system (CNS) of 1970 has become the ubiquitously plastic CNS of today, in which change is the rule not the exception. This transformation complicates a central question in neuroscience: how are adaptive behaviours – behaviours that serve the needs of the individual – acquired and maintained through life? It poses a more basic question: how do many adaptive behaviours share the ubiquitously plastic CNS? This question compels neuroscience to adopt a new paradigm. The core of this paradigm is a CNS entity with unique properties, here given the name heksor from the Greek hexis. A heksor is a distributed network of neurons and synapses that changes itself as needed to maintain the key features of an adaptive behaviour, the features that make the behaviour satisfactory. Through their concurrent changes, the numerous heksors that share the CNS negotiate the properties of the neurons and synapses that they all use. Heksors keep the CNS in a state of negotiated equilibrium that enables each heksor to maintain the key features of its behaviour. The new paradigm based on heksors and the negotiated equilibrium they create is supported by animal and human studies of interactions among new and old adaptive behaviours, explains otherwise inexplicable results, and underlies promising new approaches to restoring behaviours impaired by injury or disease. Furthermore, the paradigm offers new and potentially important answers to extant questions, such as the generation and function of spontaneous neuronal activity, the aetiology of muscle synergies, and the control of homeostatic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Wolpaw
- Director, National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY, 12208
| | - Adam Kamesar
- Professor of Judaeo-Hellenistic Literature, Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45220
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32
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Lu T, Shinozaki M, Nagoshi N, Nakamura M, Okano H. 3D imaging of supraspinal inputs to the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord mapped by retrograde tracing and light-sheet microscopy. J Neurochem 2022; 162:352-370. [PMID: 35674500 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The supraspinal inputs play a major role in tuning the hindlimb locomotion function. While most research on spinal cord injury (SCI) with rodents is based on thoracic segments, the difference in connectivity of the supraspinal centers to the thoracic and lumbar cord is still unknown. Here, we combined retrograde tracing and 3D imaging to map the connectivity of supraspinal neurons projecting to thoracic (T9-vertebral) and lumbar (T13-vertebral) spinal levels in adult female mice. We dissected the difference in connections of corticospinal neurons (CSNs), rubrospinal neurons, and reticulospinal neurons projecting to thoracic and lumbar cords. The ratio of double-labeled neurons is higher in T13-vertebral projection CSNs and parvocellular part of the red nucleus (RPC) than in T9-vertebral projection. Using the Cre-DIO system, we precisely targeted CSNs projecting to T9-vertebral or T13-vertebral. We found that abundant axon branches communicated with the red nucleus and reticular formation and distributed from cervical gray matter to the lumbar cord. Their collateral branches showed a distinct innervation pattern in thoracic and lumbar gray matters and a similar distribution pattern in the cervical spinal cord. These results revealed the difference in connectivity between the thoracic and lumbar projection supraspinal centers and clarified the collateralization of thoracic/lumbar projection CSNs throughout the brain and spinal cord. This study highlights brain-spinal cord neural networks and the complexity of the axon terminals of spinal projection CSNs, which could contribute to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies connecting CST fibers and hindlimb function recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Lu
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Munehisa Shinozaki
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Narihito Nagoshi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Nakamura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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33
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Networking brainstem and basal ganglia circuits for movement. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:342-360. [DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00581-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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34
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Parallel locomotor control strategies in mice and flies. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 73:102516. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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35
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Ali F, Benarroch E. What Is the Brainstem Control of Locomotion? Neurology 2022; 98:446-451. [PMID: 35288473 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000200108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Farwa Ali
- From the Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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36
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Sharples SA, Parker J, Vargas A, Milla-Cruz JJ, Lognon AP, Cheng N, Young L, Shonak A, Cymbalyuk GS, Whelan PJ. Contributions of h- and Na+/K+ Pump Currents to the Generation of Episodic and Continuous Rhythmic Activities. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:715427. [PMID: 35185470 PMCID: PMC8855656 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.715427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing spinal motor networks produce a diverse array of outputs, including episodic and continuous patterns of rhythmic activity. Variation in excitability state and neuromodulatory tone can facilitate transitions between episodic and continuous rhythms; however, the intrinsic mechanisms that govern these rhythms and their transitions are poorly understood. Here, we tested the capacity of a single central pattern generator (CPG) circuit with tunable properties to generate multiple outputs. To address this, we deployed a computational model composed of an inhibitory half-center oscillator (HCO). Following predictions of our computational model, we tested the contributions of key properties to the generation of an episodic rhythm produced by isolated spinal cords of the newborn mouse. The model recapitulates the diverse state-dependent rhythms evoked by dopamine. In the model, episodic bursting depended predominantly on the endogenous oscillatory properties of neurons, with Na+/K+ ATPase pump (IPump) and hyperpolarization-activated currents (Ih) playing key roles. Modulation of either IPump or Ih produced transitions between episodic and continuous rhythms and silence. As maximal activity of IPump decreased, the interepisode interval and period increased along with a reduction in episode duration. Decreasing maximal conductance of Ih decreased episode duration and increased interepisode interval. Pharmacological manipulations of Ih with ivabradine, and IPump with ouabain or monensin in isolated spinal cords produced findings consistent with the model. Our modeling and experimental results highlight key roles of Ih and IPump in producing episodic rhythms and provide insight into mechanisms that permit a single CPG to produce multiple patterns of rhythmicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon A. Sharples
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jessica Parker
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alex Vargas
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jonathan J. Milla-Cruz
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Adam P. Lognon
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ning Cheng
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Leanne Young
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Anchita Shonak
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Gennady S. Cymbalyuk
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Gennady S. Cymbalyuk,
| | - Patrick J. Whelan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Patrick J. Whelan,
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37
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Abstract
Locomotion is a universal motor behavior that is expressed as the output of many integrated brain functions. Locomotion is organized at several levels of the nervous system, with brainstem circuits acting as the gate between brain areas regulating innate, emotional, or motivational locomotion and executive spinal circuits. Here we review recent advances on brainstem circuits involved in controlling locomotion. We describe how delineated command circuits govern the start, speed, stop, and steering of locomotion. We also discuss how these pathways interface between executive circuits in the spinal cord and diverse brain areas important for context-specific selection of locomotion. A recurrent theme is the need to establish a functional connectome to and from brainstem command circuits. Finally, we point to unresolved issues concerning the integrated function of locomotor control. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Neuroscience, Volume 45 is July 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Leiras
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jared M. Cregg
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole Kiehn
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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38
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Wang M, Kang L, Wang Y, Yang B, Zhang C, Lu Y, Kang L. Microglia in motor neuron disease: Signaling evidence from last 10 years. Dev Neurobiol 2022; 82:625-638. [PMID: 36309345 PMCID: PMC9828749 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Motor neuron disease (MND), including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy and others, involved the upper or lower motor neurons selective loss, is characterized by neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, in conjunction with microglia. We summarized that pathways and key mediators are associated with microglia, such as fractalkine signaling, purinergic signaling, NF-κB signaling, p38 MAPK signaling, TREM2-APOE signaling, ROCK signaling, C1q signaling, and Ion channel, which are involved in the activation, proliferation, and inflammation of microglia. This review aims to identify the microglia-related molecular target and explore potential treatment strategies for MND based on that target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min‐Jia Wang
- School of Sports Medicine and HealthChengdu Sports UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lu Kang
- School of Sports Medicine and HealthChengdu Sports UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yao‐Zheng Wang
- School of Sports Medicine and HealthChengdu Sports UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bi‐Ru Yang
- Department of Postpartum RehabilitationSichuan Jinxin Women & Children HospitalChengduChina
| | - Chun Zhang
- School of Sports Medicine and HealthChengdu Sports UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yu‐Feng Lu
- School of Sports Medicine and HealthChengdu Sports UniversityChengduChina
| | - Liang Kang
- Institute of Sports Medicine and HealthChengdu Sports UniversityChengduChina
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39
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Pernía-Andrade AJ, Wenger N, Esposito MS, Tovote P. Circuits for State-Dependent Modulation of Locomotion. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:745689. [PMID: 34858153 PMCID: PMC8631332 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.745689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-wide neural circuits enable bi- and quadrupeds to express adaptive locomotor behaviors in a context- and state-dependent manner, e.g., in response to threats or rewards. These behaviors include dynamic transitions between initiation, maintenance and termination of locomotion. Advances within the last decade have revealed an intricate coordination of these individual locomotion phases by complex interaction of multiple brain circuits. This review provides an overview of the neural basis of state-dependent modulation of locomotion initiation, maintenance and termination, with a focus on insights from circuit-centered studies in rodents. The reviewed evidence indicates that a brain-wide network involving excitatory circuit elements connecting cortex, midbrain and medullary areas appears to be the common substrate for the initiation of locomotion across different higher-order states. Specific network elements within motor cortex and the mesencephalic locomotor region drive the initial postural adjustment and the initiation of locomotion. Microcircuits of the basal ganglia, by implementing action-selection computations, trigger goal-directed locomotion. The initiation of locomotion is regulated by neuromodulatory circuits residing in the basal forebrain, the hypothalamus, and medullary regions such as locus coeruleus. The maintenance of locomotion requires the interaction of an even larger neuronal network involving motor, sensory and associative cortical elements, as well as defined circuits within the superior colliculus, the cerebellum, the periaqueductal gray, the mesencephalic locomotor region and the medullary reticular formation. Finally, locomotor arrest as an important component of defensive emotional states, such as acute anxiety, is mediated via a network of survival circuits involving hypothalamus, amygdala, periaqueductal gray and medullary premotor centers. By moving beyond the organizational principle of functional brain regions, this review promotes a circuit-centered perspective of locomotor regulation by higher-order states, and emphasizes the importance of individual network elements such as cell types and projection pathways. The realization that dysfunction within smaller, identifiable circuit elements can affect the larger network function supports more mechanistic and targeted therapeutic intervention in the treatment of motor network disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikolaus Wenger
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria S Esposito
- Medical Physics Department, Centro Atomico Bariloche, Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Philip Tovote
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Center for Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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40
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Blackmore M, Batsel E, Tsoulfas P. Widening spinal injury research to consider all supraspinal cell types: Why we must and how we can. Exp Neurol 2021; 346:113862. [PMID: 34520726 PMCID: PMC8805209 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The supraspinal connectome consists of dozens of neuronal populations that project axons from the brain to the spinal cord to influence a wide range of motor, autonomic, and sensory functions. The complexity and wide distribution of supraspinal neurons present significant technical challenges, leading most spinal cord injury research to focus on a handful of major pathways such as the corticospinal, rubrospinal, and raphespinal. Much less is known about many additional populations that carry information to modulate or compensate for these main pathways, or which carry pre-autonomic and other information of high value to individuals with spinal injury. A confluence of technical developments, however, now enables a whole-connectome study of spinal cord injury. Improved viral labeling, tissue clearing, and automated registration to 3D atlases can quantify supraspinal neurons throughout the murine brain, offering a practical means to track responses to injury and treatment on an unprecedented scale. Here we discuss the need for expanded connectome-wide analyses in spinal injury research, illustrate the potential by discussing a new web-based resource for brain-wide study of supraspinal neurons, and highlight future prospects for connectome analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murray Blackmore
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, 53201, United States of America.
| | - Elizabeth Batsel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marquette University, 53201, United States of America
| | - Pantelis Tsoulfas
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, United States of America
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41
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Perry MK, Peters DM. Neural correlates of walking post-stroke: neuroimaging insights from the past decade. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:3439-3446. [PMID: 34585257 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06217-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Walking dysfunction such as slow walking speed and reduced independent mobility are common impairments following stroke. Neural mechanisms of upper limb impairment and motor recovery have been highly studied, while less is known about the neural correlates of walking dysfunction and rehabilitation after stroke. Our objective was to review the literature on neuroimaging correlates of walking and walking recovery post-stroke to provide a more comprehensive picture of neurological regions of interest. We searched the databases PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Cochrane Trials for articles published in English between January 1, 2010 and November 30, 2020 that assessed walking after stroke through neuroimaging and various clinical measures. The following key words were used: stroke, gait, walking, rehabilitation, brain mapping, neuroimaging, neural control of walking, motor recovery and motor function, and resulted in eighteen articles included in this review. These articles revealed regions of interest associated with lower extremity impairment and walking post-stroke to include the putamen, caudate, insula, pallidum, superior temporal gyrus, internal capsule, superior longitudinal fasciculus, corticospinal tract, corona radiata, and white matter associated with the pedunculopontine nucleus. This information strengthens our understanding of supraspinal control of walking post-stroke. However, future research on lesion location, functional and structural connectivity, and walking deficits is needed to confidently associate specific brain regions and white matter tracts/connectivity with specific impairments. Greater insight into neuromechanisms associated with response to neurorehabilitation post-stroke could improve treatment selection and prediction of motor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKenna K Perry
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Vermont, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
| | - Denise M Peters
- Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, 106 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA
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42
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Gutiérrez-Ibáñez C, Pilon MC, Wylie DR. Pretecto- and ponto-cerebellar pathways to the pigeon oculomotor cerebellum follow a zonal organization. J Comp Neurol 2021; 530:817-833. [PMID: 34587295 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Both birds and mammals have relatively large forebrains and cerebella. In mammals, there are extensive sensory-motor projections to the cerebellum through the pontine nuclei originating from several parts of the cerebral cortex. Similar forebrain-to-cerebellum pathways exist in birds, but the organization of this circuitry has not been studied extensively. Birds have two nuclei at the base of the brainstem that are thought to be homologous to the pontine nuclei of mammals, the medial and lateral pontine nuclei (PM, PL). Additionally, birds are unique in that they have a pretectal nucleus called the medial spiriform nucleus (SpM) that, like the pontine nuclei, also receives projections from the forebrain and projects to the oculomotor cerebellum (OCb; folia VI to VIII). The OCb also receives input from the pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM), which analyzes visual optic flow information resulting from self-movement. In this study, we used single or double injections of fluorescent tracers to study the organization of these inputs from PM, PL, SpM and LM to the OCb in pigeons. We found that these inputs follow a zonal organization. The most medial zone in the OCb, zone A1, receives bilateral inputs from the lateral SpM, PL and LM. Zones A2 and C receive a bilateral projection from the medial SpM, and a mostly contralateral projection from PM and LM. We discuss how the pathway to zone A1 processes mainly visuo-motor information to spinal premotor areas, whereas the pathways to zone A2/C processes somato-motor and visuo-motor information and may have a feedback/modulatory role.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Madison C Pilon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Douglas R Wylie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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43
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Ferreira-Pinto MJ, Kanodia H, Falasconi A, Sigrist M, Esposito MS, Arber S. Functional diversity for body actions in the mesencephalic locomotor region. Cell 2021; 184:4564-4578.e18. [PMID: 34302739 PMCID: PMC8382160 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) is a key midbrain center with roles in locomotion. Despite extensive studies and clinical trials aimed at therapy-resistant Parkinson's disease (PD), debate on its function remains. Here, we reveal the existence of functionally diverse neuronal populations with distinct roles in control of body movements. We identify two spatially intermingled glutamatergic populations separable by axonal projections, mouse genetics, neuronal activity profiles, and motor functions. Most spinally projecting MLR neurons encoded the full-body behavior rearing. Loss- and gain-of-function optogenetic perturbation experiments establish a function for these neurons in controlling body extension. In contrast, Rbp4-transgene-positive MLR neurons project in an ascending direction to basal ganglia, preferentially encode the forelimb behaviors handling and grooming, and exhibit a role in modulating movement. Thus, the MLR contains glutamatergic neuronal subpopulations stratified by projection target exhibiting roles in action control not restricted to locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel J Ferreira-Pinto
- Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Harsh Kanodia
- Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Falasconi
- Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Sigrist
- Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria S Esposito
- Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Arber
- Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
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44
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Mocellin P, Mikulovic S. The Role of the Medial Septum-Associated Networks in Controlling Locomotion and Motivation to Move. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:699798. [PMID: 34366795 PMCID: PMC8340000 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.699798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Medial Septum and diagonal Band of Broca (MSDB) was initially studied for its role in locomotion. However, the last several decades were focussed on its intriguing function in theta rhythm generation. Early studies relied on electrical stimulation, lesions and pharmacological manipulation, and reported an inconclusive picture regarding the role of the MSDB circuits. Recent studies using more specific methodologies have started to elucidate the differential role of the MSDB's specific cell populations in controlling both theta rhythm and behaviour. In particular, a novel theory is emerging showing that different MSDB's cell populations project to different brain regions and control distinct aspects of behaviour. While the majority of these behaviours involve movement, increasing evidence suggests that MSDB-related networks govern the motivational aspect of actions, rather than locomotion per se. Here, we review the literature that links MSDB, theta activity, and locomotion and propose open questions, future directions, and methods that could be employed to elucidate the diverse roles of the MSDB-associated networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Mocellin
- Department of Cellular Neuroscience, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sanja Mikulovic
- Research Group Cognition and Emotion, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
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45
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Huang M, Li D, Cheng X, Pei Q, Xie Z, Gu H, Zhang X, Chen Z, Liu A, Wang Y, Sun F, Li Y, Zhang J, He M, Xie Y, Zhang F, Qi X, Shang C, Cao P. The tectonigral pathway regulates appetitive locomotion in predatory hunting in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4409. [PMID: 34285209 PMCID: PMC8292483 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24696-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Appetitive locomotion is essential for animals to approach rewards, such as food and prey. The neuronal circuitry controlling appetitive locomotion is unclear. In a goal-directed behavior-predatory hunting, we show an excitatory brain circuit from the superior colliculus (SC) to the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) to enhance appetitive locomotion in mice. This tectonigral pathway transmits locomotion-speed signals to dopamine neurons and triggers dopamine release in the dorsal striatum. Synaptic inactivation of this pathway impairs appetitive locomotion but not defensive locomotion. Conversely, activation of this pathway increases the speed and frequency of approach during predatory hunting, an effect that depends on the activities of SNc dopamine neurons. Together, these data reveal that the SC regulates locomotion-speed signals to SNc dopamine neurons to enhance appetitive locomotion in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meizhu Huang
- grid.508040.9Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
| | - Dapeng Li
- grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XDepartment of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Cheng
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Pei
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyong Xie
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huating Gu
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuerong Zhang
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zijun Chen
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Aixue Liu
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fangmiao Sun
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yulong Li
- grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao He
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan Xie
- grid.256883.20000 0004 1760 8442Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology in Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei China
| | - Fan Zhang
- grid.256883.20000 0004 1760 8442Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology in Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmacology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei China
| | - Xiangbing Qi
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Congping Shang
- grid.508040.9Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Cao
- grid.410717.40000 0004 0644 5086National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China ,grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Xu L, Guan NN, Huang CX, Hua Y, Song J. A neuronal circuit that generates the temporal motor sequence for the defensive response in zebrafish larvae. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3343-3357.e4. [PMID: 34289386 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.06.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Animals use a precisely timed motor sequence to escape predators. This requires the nervous system to coordinate several motor behaviors and execute them in a temporal and smooth manner. We here describe a neuronal circuit that faithfully generates a defensive motor sequence in zebrafish larvae. The temporally specific defensive motor sequence consists of an initial escape and a subsequent swim behavior and can be initiated by unilateral stimulation of a single Mauthner cell (M-cell). The smooth transition from escape behavior to swim behavior is achieved by activating a neuronal chain circuit, which permits an M-cell to drive descending neurons in bilateral nucleus of medial longitudinal fascicle (nMLF) via activation of an intermediate excitatory circuit formed by interconnected hindbrain cranial relay neurons. The sequential activation of M-cells and neurons in bilateral nMLF via activation of hindbrain cranial relay neurons ensures the smooth execution of escape and swim behaviors in a timely manner. We propose an existence of a serial model that executes a temporal motor sequence involving three different brain regions that initiates the escape behavior and triggers a subsequent swim. This model has general implications regarding the neural control of complex motor sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Xu
- Motor Control Laboratory, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Na N Guan
- Motor Control Laboratory, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Xiao Huang
- Motor Control Laboratory, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yunfeng Hua
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Jianren Song
- Motor Control Laboratory, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Clinical Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Research, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China.
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Chang SJ, Cajigas I, Guest JD, Noga BR, Widerström-Noga E, Haq I, Fisher L, Luca CC, Jagid JR. MR Tractography-Based Targeting and Physiological Identification of the Cuneiform Nucleus for Directional DBS in a Parkinson's Disease Patient With Levodopa-Resistant Freezing of Gait. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:676755. [PMID: 34168545 PMCID: PMC8217631 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.676755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating motor deficit in a subset of Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients that is poorly responsive to levodopa or deep brain stimulation (DBS) of established PD targets. The proposal of a DBS target in the midbrain, known as the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), to address FOG was based on its observed neuropathology in PD and its hypothesized involvement in locomotor control as a part of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR). Initial reports of PPN DBS were met with enthusiasm; however, subsequent studies reported mixed results. A closer review of the MLR basic science literature, suggests that the closely related cuneiform nucleus (CnF), dorsal to the PPN, may be a superior site to promote gait. Although suspected to have a conserved role in the control of gait in humans, deliberate stimulation of a homolog to the CnF in humans using directional DBS electrodes has not been attempted. METHODS As part of an open-label Phase 1 clinical study, one PD patient with predominantly axial symptoms and severe FOG refractory to levodopa therapy was implanted with directional DBS electrodes (Boston Science Vercise CartesiaTM) targeting the CnF bilaterally. Since the CnF is a poorly defined reticular nucleus, targeting was guided both by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography and anatomical landmarks. Intraoperative stimulation and microelectrode recordings were performed near the targets with leg EMG surface recordings in the subject. RESULTS Post-operative imaging revealed accurate targeting of both leads to the designated CnF. Intraoperative stimulation near the target at low thresholds in the awake patient evoked involuntary electromyography (EMG) oscillations in the legs with a peak power at the stimulation frequency, similar to observations with CnF DBS in animals. Oscillopsia was the primary side effect evoked at higher currents, especially when directed posterolaterally. Directional DBS could mitigate oscillopsia. CONCLUSION DTI-based targeting and intraoperative stimulation to evoke limb EMG activity may be useful methods to help target the CnF accurately and safely in patients. Long term follow-up and detailed gait testing of patients undergoing CnF stimulation will be necessary to confirm the effects on FOG. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04218526.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephano J. Chang
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Iahn Cajigas
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - James D. Guest
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Brian R. Noga
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Eva Widerström-Noga
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Ihtsham Haq
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Letitia Fisher
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Corneliu C. Luca
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jonathan R. Jagid
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
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Da Fonseca AG, Fernandes Ribeiro Dantas LLDS, Rodrigues JP, Alencar Filho MPDC, De Melo Rêgo MJB, Da Rocha Pitta MG, De Moraes Gomes PAT, De Melo Silva VG, Lima Leite AC, Furtado AA, Fernandes Pedrosa MDF, Gavioli EC, Moura Lemos TMA. PA-Int5: An isatin-thiosemicarbazone derivative that exhibits anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in Swiss mice. Biomed Rep 2021; 15:61. [PMID: 34094537 PMCID: PMC8165752 DOI: 10.3892/br.2021.1437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain and inflammation are symptoms of various diseases, and they can be modulated by different pathways, thus highlighting the importance of investigating the therapeutic effects of novel compounds. Previous studies have shown that isatin-thiosemicarbazone exhibits antitumor, antifungal antibacterial and other biological properties. Based on the wide range of biological effects of these compounds, the aim of the present study was to investigate the central nervous system (CNS) performance, and the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of (Z)-2-(5-nitro-2-oxoindolin-3-ilidene)-N-hydroazinecarbothioamide (PA-Int5) in treated mice. Three doses of PA-Int5 were tested orally (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg) in the nociceptive and inflammatory animal models. Additionally, the potential sedative effects of PA-Int5 (5 mg/kg, oral gavage) were investigated using an open field and rotarod tests, to exclude any possible unspecific effects of the nociceptive assays. Anti-nociceptive activity was assessed using the acetic acid-induced abdominal contortion and formalin tests, whereas anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using a carrageenan-induced paw edema and zymosan-induced air-pouch models. PA-Int5 (5 mg/kg) induced anti-nociceptive activity in the abdominal contortion model. In the formalin test, PA-Int5 (at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) reduced nociception in the second phase. At the higher dose tested, PA-Int5 did not affect spontaneous locomotion or motor coordination. The data revealed that at all doses tested, the compound significantly reduced paw edema following carrageenan administration. In the zymosan-induced air-pouch model, PA-Int5 potently inhibited leukocyte migration and protein levels at the site of inflammation. When combined, the results revealed, for the first time, that PA-Int5 exhibited anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, and highlights its potential, as well that of other derivatives, as novel candidates for pain relief.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldilane Gonçalves Da Fonseca
- Research Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59012-570, Brazil
| | - Luzia Leiros De Sena Fernandes Ribeiro Dantas
- Research Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59012-570, Brazil
| | - Joquebede Pereira Rodrigues
- Research Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59012-570, Brazil
| | - Marco Polo Da Costa Alencar Filho
- Research Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59012-570, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ana Cristina Lima Leite
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-521, Brazil
| | | | | | - Elaine Cristina Gavioli
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Campus Universitário UFRN, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59064-741, Brazil
| | - Telma Maria Araújo Moura Lemos
- Research Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte 59012-570, Brazil
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McElvain LE, Chen Y, Moore JD, Brigidi GS, Bloodgood BL, Lim BK, Costa RM, Kleinfeld D. Specific populations of basal ganglia output neurons target distinct brain stem areas while collateralizing throughout the diencephalon. Neuron 2021; 109:1721-1738.e4. [PMID: 33823137 PMCID: PMC8169061 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Basal ganglia play a central role in regulating behavior, but the organization of their outputs to other brain areas is incompletely understood. We investigate the largest output nucleus, the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), and delineate the organization and physiology of its projection populations in mice. Using genetically targeted viral tracing and whole-brain anatomical analysis, we identify over 40 SNr targets that encompass a roughly 50-fold range of axonal densities. Retrograde tracing from the volumetrically largest targets indicates that the SNr contains segregated subpopulations that differentially project to functionally distinct brain stem regions. These subpopulations are electrophysiologically specialized and topographically organized and collateralize to common diencephalon targets, including the motor and intralaminar thalamus as well as the pedunculopontine nucleus and the midbrain reticular formation. These findings establish that SNr signaling is organized as dense, parallel outputs to specific brain stem targets concurrent with extensive collateral branches that encompass the majority of SNr axonal boutons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. McElvain
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Section of Neurobiology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, 1400-038, Portugal
| | - Yuncong Chen
- Department of Computer Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Jeffrey D. Moore
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - G. Stefano Brigidi
- Section of Neurobiology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Brenda L. Bloodgood
- Section of Neurobiology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Byung Kook Lim
- Section of Neurobiology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Rui M. Costa
- Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, 1400-038, Portugal,Zuckerman Institute and Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York 10027 USA,Correspondence: (DK), (RMC)
| | - David Kleinfeld
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Section of Neurobiology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence: (DK), (RMC)
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50
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Reis FM, Lee JY, Maesta-Pereira S, Schuette PJ, Chakerian M, Liu J, La-Vu MQ, Tobias BC, Ikebara JM, Kihara AH, Canteras NS, Kao JC, Adhikari A. Dorsal periaqueductal gray ensembles represent approach and avoidance states. eLife 2021; 10:64934. [PMID: 33955356 PMCID: PMC8133778 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals must balance needs to approach threats for risk assessment and to avoid danger. The dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) controls defensive behaviors, but it is unknown how it represents states associated with threat approach and avoidance. We identified a dPAG threatavoidance ensemble in mice that showed higher activity farther from threats such as the open arms of the elevated plus maze and a predator. These cells were also more active during threat avoidance behaviors such as escape and freezing, even though these behaviors have antagonistic motor output. Conversely, the threat approach ensemble was more active during risk assessment behaviors and near threats. Furthermore, unsupervised methods showed that avoidance/approach states were encoded with shared activity patterns across threats. Lastly, the relative number of cells in each ensemble predicted threat avoidance across mice. Thus, dPAG ensembles dynamically encode threat approach and avoidance states, providing a flexible mechanism to balance risk assessment and danger avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando McV Reis
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Johannes Y Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Sandra Maesta-Pereira
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Peter J Schuette
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Meghmik Chakerian
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Jinhan Liu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Mimi Q La-Vu
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Brooke C Tobias
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Juliane M Ikebara
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Hiroaki Kihara
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Newton S Canteras
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jonathan C Kao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Avishek Adhikari
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
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