Review
Anesthesiology
Lou Cathenaut, Remy Schlichter, Sylvain Hugel
Summary: Somatosensory information is efficiently processed in the spinal cord by frequency-tuned synapses, which display activity-dependent forms of short-term plasticity. These properties allow for powerful gain control in neuronal networks and contribute to the integration of nociceptive messages and the effectiveness of nonpharmacological analgesic procedures.
Article
Cell Biology
Ke-Xue Zhang, Jia-Jia Zhao, Wei Chai, Ji-Ying Chen
Summary: Spinal cord injury disrupts information exchange between the central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to synaptic reorganization in the motor cortex. The remodeling of dendritic spines after spinal cord hemi-section suggests a significant impact on postsynaptic structures, while presynaptic axonal boutons remain relatively unaffected. New spines in the contralateral motor cortex demonstrate fragility and low survival rates.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicholas J. Stachowski, Kimberly J. Dougherty
Summary: The spinal cord is crucial in mediating sensory responses and coordinating movement by activating complex spinal microcircuits that filter external stimuli and determine which signals are transmitted to higher order structures in the CNS. Recent studies have identified distinct populations of inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal and ventral spinal cord, highlighting the importance of inhibitory control in sensorimotor pathways at the spinal level.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ya Zheng, Dan Zhao, Dong-Dong Xue, Ye-Ran Mao, Ling-Yun Cao, Ye Zhang, Guang-Yue Zhu, Qi Yang, Dong-Sheng Xu
Summary: This study found that nerve root magnetic stimulation can improve locomotor function, enhance nerve conduction in the injured spinal cord, and promote the recovery of synaptic ultrastructure in the sensorimotor cortex.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lamia Hachoumi, Rebecca Rensner, Claire Richmond, Laurence Picton, HongYan Zhang, Keith T. Sillar
Summary: Dynamic neuronal Na+/K+ pumps regulate neuronal properties and future network output through the generation of usAHP. 5-HT and nitric oxide can influence the function of Na+/K+ pumps and STMM. 5-HT has opposing effects on the locomotor system through the activation of 5-HT7 and 5-HT2a receptors, while nitric oxide exerts a potent inhibitory effect on Na+/K+ pumps and STMM.
Article
Neurosciences
Lyandysha Zholudeva, Victoria E. Abraira, Kajana Satkunendrarajah, Todd C. McDevitt, Martyn D. Goulding, David S. K. Magnuson, Michael A. Lane
Summary: Spinal interneurons play a crucial role in the intact CNS, contributing to the control and modulation of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions, with potential changes following traumatic spinal cord injury. Treatments optimizing the contribution of interneurons to functional improvement are also discussed.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Nishant Singh, Thomas Bartol, Herbert Levine, Terrence Sejnowski, Suhita Nadkarni
Summary: Research indicates that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a crucial role in short-term plasticity (STP), contributing to the normal function of synapses. Modelling approaches highlight the importance of ER's buffering capacities in this process.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanmei Sun, Nian He, Dianzhong Wen, Fengyun Sun
Summary: Researchers reported a memristor based on Co-Ni LDH hybrid nanosheets, showing multiple progressive resistance switches when applying pulses, which can simulate synaptic functions in biology. By studying the microstructure, the O vacancy was identified as the physical mechanism of the resistance switch behavior. This work reveals the excellent application potential of Co-Ni LDH nanosheets in memristors.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Evdokia Menelaou, Sandeep Kishore, David L. McLean, Markus Meister
Summary: This study unravels the impact of mixed synapses within the spinal locomotor circuitry of larval zebrafish and finds that differences in mixed synapse density can contribute to excitability underestimations and connectivity overestimations, explaining the "violations" of the size principle.
Review
Neurosciences
Soshi Samejima, Richard Henderson, Jared Pradarelli, Sarah E. Mondello, Chet T. Moritz
Summary: Spinal cord injuries often result in permanent physical impairments despite being incomplete disruptions. However, remaining connections between the brain and spinal cord can induce neural plasticity to improve sensorimotor function, even years post-injury. This review provides an overview of evidence for motor recovery, plasticity, and interventions in spinal cord stimulation for motor control restoration. It discusses both open-loop and closed-loop stimulation approaches, as well as mechanisms of spinal cord neuromodulation for sensorimotor recovery, aiming to advance rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Nawal Kinany, Elvira Pirondini, Silvestro Micera, Dimitri Van De Ville
Summary: The spinal cord, often overlooked in human neuroscience research, is now recognized as active and plastic. This review argues that fMRI can be utilized beyond the brain to unravel spinal mechanisms involved in human behaviors. It outlines strategies and applications of spinal cord fMRI, highlighting its potential to address fundamental and clinical questions.
Article
Neurosciences
Angele N. Merlet, Jonathan Harnie, Madalina Macovei, Adam Doelman, Nathaly Gaudreault, Alain Frigon
Summary: The study found that mechanically stimulating the perineal region can modulate short-latency cutaneous reflexes in spinal cats by adjusting cycle activity, amplitude, and rhythm timing, thus increasing the excitability of central pattern-generating circuitry. This excitatory effect is not mediated by increasing excitatory inputs from cutaneous afferents of the foot, supporting a state-dependent modulation of reflexes by spinal interneuronal circuits.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alexander G. Steele, Darryn A. Atkinson, Blesson Varghese, Jeonghoon Oh, Rachel L. Markley, Dimitry G. Sayenko
Summary: The study systematically investigates the multi-segmental convergence of supraspinal inputs on the lumbosacral neural network before and during the execution of voluntary leg movements in neurologically intact participants.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ajay Pal, HongGeun Park, Aditya Ramamurthy, Ahmet S. Asan, Thelma Bethea, Meenu Johnkutty, Jason B. Carmel
Summary: In this study, the researchers developed a plasticity protocol in rats that aims to activate both sensory and motor connections in the spinal cord. They found that repeated application of this protocol in rats with spinal cord injury improved their forelimb dexterity and reduced hyperreflexia. This study shows the importance of targeting the sensory and motor systems in the spinal cord for promoting recovery after spinal cord injury.
Review
Neurosciences
Judith Sanchez-Ventura, Michael A. Lane, Esther Udina
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge of spinal perineuronal nets (PNNs) and their potential role in traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). It highlights interventions that target the extracellular matrix, including the glial scar and spinal PNNs, to promote regeneration and stabilization of the spinal circuits.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Zied Oueghlani, Laurent Juvin, Francois M. Lambert, Laura Cardoit, Gilles Courtand, Frederique Masmejean, Jean-Rene Cazalets, Gregory Barriere
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eleonore Bertin, Thomas Deluc, Kjara S. Pilch, Audrey Martinez, Johan-Till Pougnet, Evelyne Doudnikoff, Anne-Emilie Allain, Philine Bergmann, Marion Russeau, Estelle Toulme, Erwan Bezard, Friedrich Koch-Nolte, Philippe Seguela, Sabine Levi, Bruno Bontempi, Francois Georges, Sandrine S. Bertrand, Olivier Nicole, Eric Boue-Grabot
Summary: Increased surface density of neuronal P2X4 contributes to synaptic deficits, alterations in anxiety and memory functions, consistent with the implication of P2X4 in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. These conditional P2X4mCherryIN knock-in mice provide a new approach to explore the cell-specific roles of P2X4 in various physiological and pathological contexts.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Marie Boulain, Wei Yuan, Zied Oueghlani, Ines Khsime, Vianney Salvi, Gilles Courtand, Christophe Halgand, Didier Morin, Philippe Deurwaerdere, Gregory Barriere, Laurent Juvin
Summary: In newborn rats, L-DOPA increases the occurrence of air-stepping activity without affecting movement characteristics. L-DOPA administration increases the spinal content of dopamine in a dose-dependent manner. Injection of 5-HTP increases the spinal serotonin content but does not trigger air-stepping. The two precursors counteract each other for the production of serotonin and dopamine when administered as a cocktail, leading to decreased synthesis of these neurotransmitters.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Marie Boulain, Ines Khsime, Melissa Sourioux, Muriel Thoby-Brisson, Gregory Barriere, John Simmers, Didier Morin, Laurent Juvin
Summary: Stimulation of hindlimb sensory input pathways can enhance the activity of fore- and hindlimb motoneurons, coordinate CPG activity between fore- and hindlimbs, and increase cervical burst amplitudes through the generation of doublet action potentials. Synergistic interactions between sensory and propriospinal pathways strengthen cervico-lumbar coordination for effective quadrupedal locomotion.
JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Anne-Emilie Allain, Oceane Aribo, Maria-Carmen Medrano, Marie-Line Fournier, Sandrine S. Bertrand, Stephanie Caille
Summary: The deletion of TRPV1Rs gene reduces nicotine-induced locomotor sensitization and acts as a regulator of inhibitory synaptic transmission in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Camille Quilgars, Jean-Rene Cazalets, Sandrine S. Bertrand
Summary: The study investigated the impact of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation on activity-dependent synaptic plasticity (ADSP) and the intrinsic membrane properties of lumbar motoneurons (MNs). Results showed subtype-specific and developmentally regulated modulation of ADSP and synaptic transmission at VLF-MN synapses, and a downregulation of mGluR gene expression with age in the ventral part of the lumbar spinal cord. Additionally, mGluR agonists induced distinct effects on motor burst amplitudes and locomotor rhythms, depending on the developmental stage of the animals.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Correction
Genetics & Heredity
Anouck Amestoy, Etienne Guillaud, Giulia Bucchioni, Tiziana Zalla, Daniel Umbricht, Christopher Chatham, Lorraine Murtagh, Josselin Houenou, Richard Delorme, Myriam Ly-Le Moal, Marion Leboyer, Manuel Bouvard, Jean-Rene Cazalets
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eleonore Bertin, Audrey Martinez, Anne Fayoux, Kevin Carvalho, Sara Carracedo, Pierre-Olivier Fernagut, Friedrich Koch-Nolte, David Blum, Sandrine S. Bertrand, Eric Boue-Grabot
Summary: This study reveals the abnormal expression of P2X4 receptor in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting its potential as a candidate early biomarker for ALS. The study also uncovers how misfolded proteins related to ALS impact the trafficking of P2X4, providing important clues for a better understanding of the pathological mechanism of ALS.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Didier Le Ray, Sandrine S. Bertrand, Rejean Dubuc
Summary: Locomotion is a basic motor act that allows animals to move in their environment for survival. The neural mechanisms involved in locomotion have been examined in many vertebrate species, and cholinergic inputs play a crucial role in modulating neural activity during locomotion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Mille Theo, Bonilla Aurelie, Guillaud Etienne, S. Bertrand Sandrine, Menuet Clement, Cazalets Jean-Rene
Summary: Spinal cord injury not only impairs sensorimotor control but also dys-regulates autonomic functions, leading to cardiovascular disturbances. A coupling mechanism between motor and sympathetic neuronal networks exists in the spinal cord, and cholinergic neurons may play a role in synchronized activation of both outputs. This study investigates the effects of cholinergic muscarinic agonists on cardiovascular parameters in rats with spinal cord injury.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jean-Christophe Perez, Gaetan Poulen, Maida Cardoso, Hassan Boukhaddaoui, Chloe Marie Gazard, Gilles Courtand, Sandrine Sylvie Bertrand, Yannick Nicolas Gerber, Florence Evelyne Perrin
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to irreversible autonomic and sensory-motor impairments. This study investigated the persistent microglia proliferation induced by SCI and the modulation of microglial responses through pharmacological treatment. The results showed that microglia proliferation remains elevated at 84 days post-injury and a transient oral delivery of GW2580 at chronic stage after SCI reduces microglia proliferation and modifies microglial morphology, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic SCI patients.
Review
Physiology
Theo Mille, Camille Quilgars, Jean-Rene Cazalets, Sandrine S. Bertrand
Summary: This article reviews studies on the role of cholinergic neurons in controlling locomotor neural networks in the spinal cord. The cholinergic system exerts powerful control on synaptic transmission and neuron excitability through activation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors. Understanding the spinal cholinergic system is crucial for developing new therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Etienne Guillaud, Philippe Seyres, Gregory Barriere, Vincent Jecko, Sandrine S. Bertrand, Jean-Rene Cazalets
NEUROPHYSIOLOGIE CLINIQUE-CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2020)