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)
Article
Physiology
Piotr Krutki, Wlodzimierz Mrowczynski, Jan Celichowski, Marcin Baczyk
Summary: This study provides new insights into neuronal plasticity following repeated mechanical loading. Through electrophysiological experiments on rat lumbar motoneurons, we demonstrate that low-volume whole body vibration applied systematically for 5 weeks enhances synaptic excitation from primary muscle afferents. The adaptive changes are characterized by higher amplitudes and shorter rise times of monosynaptic EPSPs in the vibrated group compared to the control.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Piotr Krutki, Hanna Drzymala-Celichowska, Marcin Baczyk, Magdalena Piotr, Jan Celichowski
Summary: Male and female rats have differences in muscle fibre composition, motor unit contractile properties, and muscle spindle density, but their motoneurons' intrinsic properties are similar. This study aimed to investigate whether sex differences in body mass and muscle force influence the proprioceptive input from muscle spindles to motoneurons. The results showed that there were no differences in latency, but males had a higher amplitude of EPSP compared to females. The observed sex differences may be related to mechanical loading or hormonal differences.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jonathan Harnie, Johannie Audet, Alexander N. Klishko, Adam Doelman, Boris I. Prilutsky, Alain Frigon
Summary: The study found that sensorimotor circuits within the spinal cord generate backward locomotion but require additional excitability compared with forward locomotion. Spinal cats showed similar strategies for speed modulation and muscle activations during forward and backward locomotion, indicating a shared spinal locomotor network.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Angela Martins, Catia Marina Silva, Debora Gouveia, Ana Cardoso, Tiago Coelho, Oscar Gamboa, Eduardo Marcelino, Antonio Ferreira
Summary: The study demonstrates the importance of intensive neurorehabilitation in promoting ambulation recovery in paraplegic animals, leading to improved quality of life and potentially reducing the number of euthanasia procedures performed on these animals.
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
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
Polymer Science
Paula Regina Gelinski Kempe, Mateus Vidigal de Castro, Victor Campos Khuriyeh, Benedito Barraviera, Rui Seabra Ferreira Jr, Alexandre Leite Rodrigues de Oliveira
Summary: Spinal cord injury leads to severe loss of motor and sensory function. Our study aimed to test the combined treatment of surgical repair with fibrin biopolymer and pharmacological treatment with dimethyl fumarate. Results showed that this combination can protect neurons and promote motor neuron regeneration.
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Qiang Zhang, Yi Cheng, Mei Zhou, Yue Dai
Summary: Locomotion, a fundamental movement in vertebrates, is produced by spinal networks called central pattern generators (CPG). These networks regulate the membrane properties and channel activities of spinal neurons to control muscle contractions. Studies have shown that modulating the activity of sodium, calcium, and potassium channels can affect the generation of locomotion and force production in skeletal muscles. Specifically, upregulating the activity of sodium and calcium channels increases the discharge rate and recruitment of neurons, facilitating locomotor pattern formation and enhancing neural bursting and force generation. Conversely, downregulation of these channels disrupts locomotor pattern and reduces force generation.
FRONTIERS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pauline Michel-Flutot, Laurie Efthimiadi, Lynda Djerbal, Therese B. Deramaudt, Marcel Bonay, Stephane Vinit
Summary: This study evaluated the antioxidant response in phrenic motoneurons following C2 spinal cord lateral hemi-section in rats, and found that the AMPK-Nrf2 signaling pathway plays a significant role in the oxidative stress response after high SCI. Harnessing this pathway could improve the antioxidant response and help in improving diaphragm activity in patients with high SCI.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Ausborn, Natalia A. Shevtsova, Simon M. Danner
Summary: Neuronal circuits in the spinal cord play a crucial role in controlling locomotion, integrating supraspinal commands and afferent feedback signals. Computational modeling has complemented experimental studies by providing mechanistic rationales and testable predictions, leading to fundamental insights. With recent advances in molecular and genetic methods, manipulating specific elements of the spinal circuitry has become possible, allowing for investigations into mechanisms at the level of genetically defined neuronal populations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeonghoon Oh, Alexander G. Steele, Blesson Varghese, Catherine A. Martin, Michelle S. Scheffler, Rachel L. Markley, Yi-Kai Lo, Dimitry G. Sayenko
Summary: Transcutaneous spinal stimulation is a promising method for restoring upper limb function in patients with spinal cord injuries. By selectively stimulating different electrode placements, specific groups of upper limb muscles can be activated. This approach may enhance efficacy and help patients recover more diverse motor activities.
Article
Neurosciences
Johannie Audet, Charly G. Lecomte
Summary: Tonic or phasic electrical epidural stimulation in the lumbosacral region can improve locomotion and standing in severe spinal cord injury models, but the mechanisms behind this remain largely unknown. There are limitations that currently prevent the widespread clinical implementation of this promising therapeutic approach.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
D. Leonardo Garcia-Ramirez, Ngoc T. Ha, Steve Bibu, Nicholas J. Stachowski, Kimberly J. Dougherty
Summary: The impact of spinal cord injury on Shox2 interneurons mainly manifests as changes in sensory afferent input pathways and modulation of Shox2 interneurons by 5-HT, enhancing excitatory responses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Remi Ronzano, Camille Lancelin, Gardave Singh Bhumbra, Robert M. Brownstone, Marco Beato
Summary: The study reveals that premotor neurons in the spinal cord have divergent projections to synergist or antagonist muscle MNs, indicating coordination of activity across multiple motor pools. Additionally, spinal neurons mediating co-contraction of antagonist muscles were identified, shedding light on the potential mechanisms behind muscle coordination and potential implications for neurological diseases like dystonia.
Article
Neurosciences
Matthew S. Elson, Ari Berkowitz
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2016)
Article
Neurosciences
Keith P. Johnson, Stephen M. Tran, Emily A. Siegrist, Krishna B. Paidimarri, Matthew S. Elson, Ari Berkowitz
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2017)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ari Berkowitz
Article
Zoology
Ari Berkowitz, Zhao-Zhe Hao
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2011)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jonathan W. Mui, Katie L. Willis, Zhao-Zhe Hao, Ari Berkowitz
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY A-NEUROETHOLOGY SENSORY NEURAL AND BEHAVIORAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2012)
Article
Neurosciences
Zhao-Zhe Hao, Lucy E. Spardy, Edward B. L. Nguyen, Jonathan E. Rubin, Ari Berkowitz
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2011)
Article
Neurosciences
Zhao-Zhe Hao, Megan L. Meier, Ari Berkowitz
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2014)
Review
Biology
Ari Berkowitz
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ari Berkowitz
JOURNAL OF NEUROGENETICS
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
B. Anne Bannatyne, Zhao-Zhe Hao, Georgia M. C. Dyer, Masahiko Watanabe, David J. Maxwell, Ari Berkowitz
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Khuong H. Nguyen, Thomas E. Scheurich, Tingting Gu, Ari Berkowitz
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2020)
Article
Physiology
John Ashley, Joe Shelley, Jiwon Song, Jongjoo Sun, Rebecca D. D. Larson, Daniel J. J. Larson, Ari Berkowitz, Andriy Yabluchanskiy, J. Mikhail Kellawan
Summary: A monoexponential model used to describe cerebral blood velocity dynamics at the onset of exercise may hide the dynamic responses of the cerebrovasculature to fluctuations in MCAv and CPP. Therefore, analyzing CPP and CVCi is necessary to understand the cerebrovascular mechanisms during the transition from rest to exercise.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jonathan R. Holmes, Ari Berkowitz
FRONTIERS IN NEURAL CIRCUITS
(2014)
Meeting Abstract
Zoology
A. Berkowitz, Z. -Z Hao
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2011)