Objective
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.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
2177 COPENHAGEN
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.