Article
Robotics
Robin Thandiackal, Kamilo Melo, Laura Paez, Johann Herault, Takeshi Kano, Kyoichi Akiyama, Frederic Boyer, Dimitri Ryczko, Akio Ishiguro, Auke J. Ijspeert
Summary: Undulatory swimming is an ideal behavior for studying locomotion control and the role of central and peripheral components in the spinal cord. Research using a specially designed robot and simulations shows that hydrodynamic pressure sensed by pressure-sensitive receptors can entrain body actuation through local feedback loops, leading to self-organized undulatory swimming with intersegmental coordination and body oscillations. The combination of central and peripheral mechanisms offers higher robustness against neural disruptions, potentially explaining how some vertebrates retain locomotor capabilities after spinal cord lesions.
Article
Biology
Ayako Yamaguchi, Manon Peltier
Summary: Males of Xenopus frogs produce species-specific vocalizations to attract females. The central pattern generators (CPGs) that drive the clicks of male frogs are conserved across species, with fast CPGs shared among fast-click species and slow CPGs shared among slow-click species. Testosterone plays a role in organizing fast CPGs in fast-click species, but not in slow-click species. Species-specific calls of Xenopus frogs have evolved by utilizing conserved slow and/or fast CPGs inherited by each species.
Article
Neurosciences
Ariana Z. Turk, Mitchell Bishop, Afuh Adeck, Shahriar SheikhBahaei
Summary: In this paper, we review the location, function, and role of astrocytes in central pattern generators (CPGs) involved in locomotion, respiration, and mastication, and propose that astrocytes may also have a significant role in vocal production CPG.
Review
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Yu. A. Tsybina, S. Yu. Gordleeva, A. I. Zharinov, I. A. Kastalskiy, A. V. Ermolaeva, A. E. Hramov, V. B. Kazantsev
Summary: Neuro- and biomorphic approaches in intelligent robotic systems have attracted attention from researchers and engineers. Fish-like swimming robots are simple candidates to reproduce biological mechanics of movement. However, current robotic solutions are still lacking in speed performance, power efficiency, and maneuverability.
CHAOS SOLITONS & FRACTALS
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Cafer Bal
Summary: A novel Central Pattern Generator (CPG) network topology is proposed in this paper for controlling the smooth gait transition of a biomimetic hexapod robot. The designed network structure with bidirectional diffusive coupling topologies achieves robust and efficient gait transitions, providing remarkable results in terms of gait transitions.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Daisuke Ichimura, Hiroaki Hobara, Genki Hisano, Tsubasa Maruyama, Mitsunori Tada
Summary: This study investigated how individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation control their left and right lower limbs during locomotion and found that they can reacquire locomotion by modifying sensory feedback parameters. These results are important for assessing and rehabilitating the walking ability of individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Melanie Falgairolle, Michael J. O'Donovan
Summary: Research has shown that the depolarization of spinal inhibitory interneurons expressing channelrhodopsin can have opposite effects on locomotor rhythms depending on the activation mode of the locomotor circuitry. This suggests that the function of V1 neurons is dependent on how the locomotor rhythm is activated, and that the functional organization of corresponding locomotor networks also differs.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Kimberly J. Dougherty
Summary: Locomotion is a complex motor task carried out by spinal neurons. Identifying the specific function of different types of spinal cord neurons is challenging due to their diversity. Recent studies have made significant progress in molecularly identifying broad classes of spinal interneurons. Other classifiers such as location, electrophysiological properties, and connectivity have also been used to narrow down the relationship between groups of neurons and specific functions. However, there are still functional groups, like rhythm generating neurons, that do not have clear identifiers. Factors like experience and plasticity further complicate the definition of functional subpopulations of spinal neurons, but studying spinal cord injury may offer insights.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Matteo Bozzo, Simone Costa, Valentina Obino, Tiziana Bachetti, Emanuela Marcenaro, Mario Pestarino, Michael Schubert, Simona Candiani
Summary: The study identified three glycine transporter genes in amphioxus, with two closely related to vertebrate glycine transporters and one belonging to an ancestral clade. These transporters are widely expressed in the nervous system of amphioxus, with differential expression patterns in neurons and glia. Despite genetic divergence, evidence suggests conservation in the role of glycinergic neurotransmission during larval swimming, indicating potential homology in the neural networks controlling rhythmic movement in chordates.
Article
Robotics
Isabelle Maroger, Noelie Ramuzat, Olivier Stasse, Bruno Watier
Summary: By utilizing a prediction model of human behavior and a Walking Pattern Generator (WPG) based on optimal control, the robot is able to proactively walk in sync with humans instead of passively following them. These models have been tested in simulation and use real-time whole-body control to execute computed trajectories.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Erick Olivares, Eduardo J. Izquierdo, Randall D. Beer
Summary: The study explores the contributions of multiple mechanisms to locomotion rhythmic patterns in Caenorhabditis elegans, including pacemaker neurons, stretch-receptor feedback, and multiple network rhythmic pattern generators in the ventral nerve cord. Through simulation models, it is found that gap junctions between different classes of motorneurons in the ventral nerve cord play a key role in coordinating multiple rhythmic pattern generators.
FRONTIERS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Kazutake Kawai, Toshiki Tazoe, Toshimasa Yanai, Kazuyuki Kanosue, Yukio Nishimura
Summary: Researchers found that different stimulus intensities can induce different types of leg movements, such as hopping and walking, through transvertebral magnetic stimulation (TVMS). As the stimulus intensity increases, the movement changes from hopping to walking, and different muscle activation patterns are involved.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuan Wang, Rong Huang, Zuying Chai, Changhe Wang, Xingyu Du, Yuqi Hang, Yongxin Xu, Jie Li, Xiaohan Jiang, Xi Wu, Zhongjun Qiao, Yinglin Li, Bing Liu, Xianying Zhang, Peng Cao, Feipeng Zhu, Zhuan Zhou
Summary: The newly discovered Ca2+-independent but voltage-dependent secretion mechanism plays an important role in central synaptic transmission and can trigger neurotransmitter release through action potentials, with faster vesicle recycling and less short-term depression.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karen Minassian, Aymeric Bayart, Peter Lackner, Heinrich Binder, Brigitta Freundl, Ursula S. Hofstoetter
Summary: This study investigates the existence and function of central pattern generators (CPGs) in the human lumbar spinal cord. Through the observation of a male individual with thoracic spinal cord injury, it is found that rhythmic spinal myoclonus and electrical stimulation-induced activities demonstrate that the human lumbar spinal cord contains distinct mechanisms for generating rhythmic multi-muscle patterns.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Lei Yang, Beibei Liu, Shang Zheng, Longsheng Xu, Ming Yao
Summary: Bone cancer pain is a complex condition characterized by persistent, sudden, spontaneous pain accompanied by hyperalgesia. It is caused by bone metastases or primary bone tumors. The perception and transmission of pain signals involve peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and the brain. The mechanisms of bone cancer pain within the brain are not fully understood, but with advancements in brain science and technology, further research is being conducted.
Article
Neurosciences
Tamara Coslovich, Michele R. Brumley, Giuseppe D'Angelo, Alberto Della Mora, Hillary E. Swann, Fulvia Ortolani, Giuliano Taccola
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2018)
Review
Neurosciences
G. Taccola, D. Sayenko, P. Gad, Y. Gerasimenko, V. R. Edgerton
PROGRESS IN NEUROBIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Neurosciences
Nejada Dingu, Ronald Deumens, Giuliano Taccola
Article
Clinical Neurology
Giuliano Taccola, Parag Gad, Stanislav Culaclii, Ronaldo M. Ichiyama, Wentai Liu, V. Reggie Edgerton
Article
Oncology
Alessandra Bosutti, Annalisa Bernareggi, Gabriele Massaria, Paola D'Andrea, Giuliano Taccola, Paola Lorenzon, Marina Sciancalepore
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Cell Biology
Tamara Coslovich, Alberto Della Mora, Giuseppe D'Angelo, Fulvia Ortolani, Giuliano Taccola
Summary: This study reveals that H(3)Rs could be a new exploitable pharmacological target against motor disturbances, as selective activation of H(3)Rs has effects on motoneuron activity.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Giuliano Taccola, Parag Gad, Stanislav Culaclii, Po-Min Wang, Wentai Liu, V. Reggie Edgerton
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2020)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Giuliano Taccola, Sean Barber, Phillip J. Horner, Humberto A. Cerrel Bazo, Dimitry Sayenko
Article
Neurosciences
Giuliano Taccola, Betsy Habeth Salazar, Rosamaria Apicella, Matthew Kevin Hogan, Philip John Horner, Dimitry Sayenko
FRONTIERS IN SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Graciela Lujan Mazzone, Atiyeh Mohammadshirazi, Jorge Benjamin Aquino, Andrea Nistri, Giuliano Taccola
Summary: Correct operation of neuronal networks depends on the interplay between synaptic excitation and inhibition processes leading to a dynamic state termed balanced network. In the spinal cord, balanced network activity is fundamental for the expression of locomotor patterns necessary for rhythmic activation of limb extensor and flexor muscles. The role of GABA A receptors at synaptic and extrasynaptic level to modulate network excitability offers a pharmacological target for symptom control.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Stanislav Culaclii, Po-Min Wang, Giuliano Taccola, William Yang, Brett Bailey, Yan-Peng Chen, Yi-Kai Lo, Wentai Liu
Summary: A new stimulator architecture is proposed that distributes control logic over three component tiers, compatible with existing and future biomimetic protocols and suitable for integration into implantable neural prosthetics.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Giuliano Taccola, Stanislav Culaclii, Hui Zhong, Parag Gad, Wentai Liu, V Reggie Edgerton
Summary: Chronic implants of a new epidural stimulating interface were used to investigate spinal excitability dynamics in awake rats before and after injury. The study revealed intrinsic patterned and stochastic modulation of baseline excitability in spinal networks, highlighting the dynamic physiological states.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Giuliano Taccola, Ronaldo M. Ichiyama, V. Reggie Edgerton, Parag Gad
Summary: This review discusses the physiological states of spinal networks, highlighting the stochastic modulation by changing ensembles of proprioceptive and supraspinal input. Spinal epidural interfaces offer a platform for studying spinal network dynamics post-injury. Low-frequency epidural pulses can evoke motor responses with oscillatory patterns. The neural variability among spinal networks is seen as a fundamental mechanism of network design rather than noise interfering with movement control.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Atiyeh Mohammadshirazi, Rosamaria Apicella, Benjamin A. Zylberberg, Graciela L. Mazzone, Giuliano Taccola
Summary: The study investigates the control mechanisms of spinal motor output and essential rhythmic behaviors by supraspinal structures. By recording the respiratory rhythm from both cervical and lumbar ventral roots simultaneously in neonatal rodents' in vitro central nervous system (CNS) preparations, the researchers aimed to understand the contribution of neuronal networks for respiration and locomotion at birth. Their findings suggest that suprapontine centers regulate spontaneous respiratory rhythms and spinal network activity during development.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rosamaria Apicella, Giuliano Taccola
Summary: Exercise modifies respiratory functions through the afferent feedback from exercising limbs and the descending input from suprapontine areas. A novel experimental in vitro platform was designed to better understand the role of limb afferents in modulating respiration during physical activity. The study found that intense exercise reduced the duration and modulated the frequency of breathing, and the involvement of suprapontine areas played a crucial role in these changes. These findings contribute to our understanding of how the respiratory system integrates sensory input from moving limbs and have implications for rehabilitation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)