Skip to main content
Aller à la page d’accueil de la Commission européenne (s’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)
français fr
CORDIS - Résultats de la recherche de l’UE
CORDIS
Contenu archivé le 2024-06-16

Spinal networks responsible for resetting the locomotor step cycle

Objectif

The mammalian spinal cord contains a neuronal network that generates rhythmic flexion and extension movements during locomotion. Sensory information on length and contraction force of extensor muscles resets the locomotor rhythm, i.e. initiates a new stance phase. Some neurons intercalated in resetting reflex pathways are also part of the rhythm generator network and studying resetting pathways can provide insights about this rhythm-generating network. The first aim of this proposal is to determine the organization of the feline spinal networks involved in resetting reflexes during fictive locomotion (i.e. motor activity under paralysis).

The location and the activity of candidate resetting neurons have been described previously based on extracellular recordings during fictive locomotion. The hypothesis, that subpopulations of resetting neurons receive input from descending motor pathways and project to contralateral motor nuclei will be examined here. Intracellular recordings will be collected to determine synaptic connectivity and intrinsic properties in feline preparations during fictive locomotion.

The electrophysiological studies will be complemented by anatomical reconstruction of labelled neurons and immunohistochemistry to assess axonal projections and neurotransmitters expressed. The second aim is to study locomotor-related reflex transmission in humans. Recently described crossed reflexes in the feline spinal cord will be examined in healthy humans to gain more information about commissural pathways coordinating motor activity between left and right limbs.

Plasticity induced in reflex pathways intercalated with the spinal rhythm generator has proven to be of great importance during the rehabilitation of gait following traumatic injury. Understanding the spinal neuronal circuitry integrating sensory reflexes with centrally generated motor activity will improve strategies used for restoration of motor function following diseased conditions.

Champ scientifique (EuroSciVoc)

Mots‑clés

Thème(s)

Appel à propositions

FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
Voir d’autres projets de cet appel

Régime de financement

EIF - Marie Curie actions-Intra-European Fellowships

Coordinateur

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
Contribution de l’UE
Aucune donnée
Coût total
Aucune donnée