Obiettivo The executive component of movement – the task of determining which muscles to activate, how intensely, and for how long – depends on neural circuits located in the spinal cord. At the core of these circuits are local interneurons (INTs) that regulate the pattern and frequency of motor neuron (MN) firing. Spinal motor activity is shaped by a combination of amino acid mediated excitation and inhibition, but the amplitude of motor bursts depends in large part on modulatory systems. I have identified the source and output of a spinal pre-motor modulatory circuit mediated by muscarinic cholinergic signaling. The transcription factor Pitx2 defines a small set of INTs that further fractionates into V0C cholinergic and V0G glutamatergic subsets. My initial findings have revealed that MNs receive prominent inputs from V0C neurons and that genetic inactivation of the output of V0C neurons impairs a locomotor task-dependent increase in the activation of specific limb muscles. These observations have provided initial information about the function of this intrinsic cholinergic modulatory system, but they leave many unresolved questions about the organization and function of the circuit.-Does V0C innervation pattern respect antagonist relationships in motor pool activity?-What are the inputs that control the function of V0C neurons?-Do V0C neurons also modulate INT output?-Does the limited impairment of motor modulation after disconnecting V0C neurons result from functional adaptation?-Do V0C and V0G neurons cooperate as dual elements in a transcriptionally defined “modulatory operon” for motor control?I will use a combination of mouse genetics, anatomy, physiology and behavior to address these questions. Inactivation or ectopic activation of V0C and V0G neurons during locomotor behaviors will be used in order to obtain new insight about the function of these modulatory networks. Campo scientifico scienze naturaliscienze biologichegeneticascienze mediche e della salutemedicina di baseanatomia e morfologiascienze mediche e della salutemedicina di basefisiologiascienze naturaliscienze chimichechimica organicaammine Programma(i) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG - Marie Curie Action: "Reintegration Grants" Invito a presentare proposte FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento MC-IRG - International Re-integration Grants (IRG) Coordinatore IDRYMA IATROVIOLOGIKON EREUNON AKADEMIAS ATHINON Indirizzo Soranou efesiou 4 115 27 Athina Grecia Mostra sulla mappa Regione Αττική Aττική Κεντρικός Τομέας Αθηνών Tipo di attività Research Organisations Contatto amministrativo Dimitris Raptis (Mr.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Contributo UE € 100 000,00
