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Neurosciences
Eva M. Berg, Leander Mrowka, Maria Bertuzzi, David Madrid, Laurence D. Picton, Abdeljabbar El Manira
Summary: In this study, the role of two separate subpopulations of glutamatergic neurons in sensory memory and motor control in adult zebrafish was revealed using in vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, anatomy, and behavior. vGlut2+ neurons encode the start, duration, and changes of locomotion speed, while vGlut1+ neurons encode sudden changes to high speed/high amplitude movements. This study provides mechanistic insights into how brainstem circuits encode and convey locomotor parameters.
Article
Neurosciences
Martin Carbo-Tano, Mathilde Lapoix, Xinyu Jia, Olivier Thouvenin, Marco Pascucci, Francois Auclair, Feng B. Quan, Shahad Albadri, Vernie Aguda, Younes Farouj, Elizabeth M. C. Hillman, Ruben Portugues, Filippo Del Bene, Tod R. Thiele, Rejean Dubuc, Claire Wyart
Summary: Researchers investigate the mesencephalic locomotor region in larval zebrafish and its role in triggering forward locomotion by activating specific sets of hindbrain V2a reticulospinal neurons.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohini Sengupta, Vamsi Daliparthi, Yann Roussel, Tuan Bui, Martha W. Bagnall
Summary: In this study, the synaptic outputs of inhibitory neurons in the zebrafish spinal cord were mapped to reveal their connections with motor neurons and sensory populations, demonstrating their crucial role in both local and long-range inhibition within the spinal network. The findings suggest that the architecture of spinal networks along the longitudinal axis can vary significantly and have important implications for motor coordination.
Article
Neurosciences
Hannah Bertels, Guillem Vicente-Ortiz, Khadija El Kanbi, Aya Takeoka
Summary: Adult spinal cord injury switches neurotransmitter phenotype from excitation to inhibition, while neonatal spinal cord injury maintains the excitatory phenotype. Maintaining excitatory phenotype is crucial for locomotor recovery.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Michael Jay, Malcolm A. MacIver, David L. McLean
Summary: This study investigates how spinal circuits contribute to direction control during ongoing locomotion in larval zebrafish. The results show that directed swimming involves changes in motor output duration and increased recruitment of motor neurons, without affecting the timing of spiking along the body. The study also reveals different recruitment patterns in excitatory and inhibitory interneurons, supporting the modular control of steering and propulsion by spinal premotor circuits.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Yaara Lefler, Tiago Branco
Summary: Activating specific glutamatergic neurons in the brainstem produces a motor command resulting in global motor arrest. This arrest is distinct from defensive freezing and shows a pause-and-play pattern accompanied by reduced respiration and heart rate.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kohei Kawano, Kagayaki Kato, Takumi Sugioka, Yukiko Kimura, Masashi Tanimoto, Shin-ichi Higashijima
Summary: Developmental maturation in larval zebrafish is associated with slow swimming behavior, particularly in older larvae who can maintain head stability during slow swimming. The MCoD neurons play a role in coordinating trunk muscle activities to produce the stable head and S-shaped swimming form. The ablation of MCoD neurons results in a change in swimming form and increased yaw displacement of the head.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Coralie Herent, Severine Diem, Giovanni Usseglio, Gilles Fortin, Julien Bouvier
Summary: Through neural circuit tracing and activity interference in mice, we have discovered two systems in the central locomotor network that enhance respiration in relation to running. One system involves the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR) and the other involves the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord. These findings expand our understanding of respiratory hyperpnea and the functional implications of cell types and pathways traditionally associated with locomotion or respiration.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Chun-Xiao Huang, Zhen Wang, Jianwei Cheng, Zhiqiang Zhu, Na N. Guan, Jianren Song
Summary: Spontaneous locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) is dependent on the reestablishment of intraspinal circuits and regrowth of V2a interneuron axons. The findings suggest that physical training can accelerate this process.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lulu Xu, Na N. Guan, Chun-Xiao Huang, Yunfeng Hua, Jianren Song
Summary: Animals use a precisely timed motor sequence to escape predators by coordinating multiple motor behaviors through the nervous system. A neuronal circuit in zebrafish larvae generates a defensive motor sequence involving escape and swim behaviors, with the smooth transition achieved through activation of interconnected hindbrain cranial relay neurons. This sequential activation of neurons in different brain regions ensures timely and smooth execution of escape and swim behaviors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ieva Berzanskyte, Federica Riccio, Carolina Barcellos Machado, Elizabeth J. Bradbury, Ivo Lieberam
Summary: Researchers developed a method to differentiate and isolate spinal V3 interneurons using extrinsic factor-mediated differentiation and magnetic activated cell sorting. They found that a higher concentration of Sonic Hedgehog agonist and 3D culture conditions enhanced V3 progenitor differentiation. By developing a transgene reporter, they were able to purify V3 progenitors labeled with CD14 to a 95% purity and mature them into postmitotic V3 interneurons. This purification tool is valuable for in vitro disease modeling, studying normal human neural development, and potential cell therapies for spinal cord disorders.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pavel Shekhtmeyster, Erin M. Carey, Daniela Duarte, Alexander Ngo, Grace Gao, Nicholas A. Nelson, Charles L. Clark, Axel Nimmerjahn
Summary: By developing a wearable microscope and chronically implanted microprism, the research team successfully achieved multicolor translaminar imaging of sensory and motor-evoked activity in freely behaving mice. They discovered that dorsal horn astrocytes in behaving mice exhibited sensorimotor program-dependent and lamina-specific calcium excitation. Furthermore, they found that Tac1-expressing neurons showed translaminar activity to acute mechanical pain but not locomotion. These findings provide valuable insights into cellular activity during spinal cord sensorimotor processing and have implications for future treatments of pain-related disorders.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yongjie Xu, Tao Peng, Yang Xiang, Gengze Liao, Fei Zou, Xiaojing Meng
Summary: This study found that exposure to manganese increases mortality and malformation rates in zebrafish larvae, and significantly reduces swim distance and velocity. Manganese exposure also leads to apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons and decreased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase. Transcriptome sequencing results showed upregulation of genes associated with apoptosis and DNA damage repair.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Gokul Rajan, Julie Lafaye, Giulia Faini, Martin Carbo-Tano, Karine Duroure, Dimitrii Tanese, Thomas Panier, Raphael Candelier, Jorg Henninger, Ralf Britz, Benjamin Judkewitz, Christoph Gebhardt, Valentina Emiliani, Georges Debregeas, Claire Wyart, Filippo Del Bene
Summary: This study investigates the evolutionary divergence of locomotion and its adaptation to environmental constraints by comparing swimming patterns in closely related species with similar neuronal circuitry. The findings reveal that mesencephalic locomotion maintenance neurons and the availability of dissolved oxygen and timing of swim bladder inflation may drive the differences in swimming pattern.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dineshkumar Loganathan, Shu-Heng Wu, Chia-Yuan Chen
Summary: This study aims to investigate the mechanism of spatial memory formation using zebrafish larvae as a model animal. A reliable and easily replicable microfluidic platform was designed to evaluate the spatial memory capabilities of zebrafish larvae under non-invasive acoustic stimuli. The results showed that 6-day-old larvae exhibited high levels of freezing behavior in both short and long paths. Therefore, this study is of great importance for understanding the behavioral characteristics of zebrafish larvae and the role of spatial memory in neural activities.
Article
Cell Biology
Chie Satou, Takumi Sugioka, Yuto Uemura, Takashi Shimazaki, Pawel Zmarz, Yukiko Kimura, Shin-ichi Higashijima
Article
Neurosciences
Yuto Uemura, Kagayaki Kato, Koichi Kawakami, Yukiko Kimura, Yoichi Oda, Shin-ichi Higashijima
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Developmental Biology
Takamasa Mizoguchi, Michi Fukada, Miku Iihama, Xuehui Song, Shun Fukagawa, Shuhei Kuwabara, Shuhei Omaru, Shin-ichi Higashijima, Motoyuki Itoh
Article
Neurosciences
Zhikai Liu, Yukiko Kimura, Shin-ichi Higashijima, David G. C. Hildebrand, Joshua L. Morgan, Martha W. Bagnall
Article
Neurosciences
Urs L. Bohm, Yukiko Kimura, Takashi Kawashima, Misha B. Ahrens, Shin-ichi Higashijima, Florian Engert, Adam E. Cohen
Summary: The activity of ventral V3 neurons in zebrafish is positively correlated with swimming strength and bout length. Activation of these neurons leads to stronger and longer swimming, but does not affect tail beat frequency. Genetic ablation experiments further confirm the critical role of V3 neurons in locomotor adaptation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kohei Kawano, Kagayaki Kato, Takumi Sugioka, Yukiko Kimura, Masashi Tanimoto, Shin-ichi Higashijima
Summary: Developmental maturation in larval zebrafish is associated with slow swimming behavior, particularly in older larvae who can maintain head stability during slow swimming. The MCoD neurons play a role in coordinating trunk muscle activities to produce the stable head and S-shaped swimming form. The ablation of MCoD neurons results in a change in swimming form and increased yaw displacement of the head.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Chie Satou, Rachael L. Neve, Hassana K. Oyibo, Pawel Zmarz, Kuo-Hua Huang, Estelle Arn Bouldoires, Takuma Mori, Shin-ichi Higashijima, Georg B. Keller, Rainer W. Friedrich
Summary: This study developed methods for gene transfer and retrograde tracing in zebrafish, as well as efficient transneuronal tracing. Herpes simplex viruses and modified rabies viruses were used to visualize and manipulate neurons in zebrafish.
Article
Biology
Adisorn Ratanayotha, Makoto Matsuda, Yukiko Kimura, Fumiko Takenaga, Tomoaki Mizuno, Md Israil Hossain, Shin-ichi Higashijima, Takafumi Kawai, Michio Ogasawara, Yasushi Okamura
Summary: The findings reveal the crucial role of Vsp protein in regulating endocytosis-dependent nutrient absorption in specialized enterocytes, and provide important insights into the physiological function of Vsp in animal species.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masashi Tanimoto, Ikuko Watakabe, Shin-Ichi Higashijima
Summary: Spatio-temporal information about head orientation and movement is crucial for balance and motion perception. In this study, we used in vivo Ca2+ imaging to investigate the response patterns of hair cells and ganglion neurons in larval zebrafish to static tilt and vibration. Our results suggest that different types of hair cells in the otolith organs respond selectively to head vibration and static tilt, while maintaining a spatially ordered direction preference that is preserved in ganglion neurons. This demonstrates the presence of topographically organized selectivity for the direction and dynamics of head orientation/movement in the vestibular periphery.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takumi Sugioka, Masashi Tanimoto, Shin-ichi Higashijima
Summary: This study demonstrates that larval zebrafish can finely control their posture through a body bend reflex. The authors also identify the neural circuits and muscles involved in this reflex.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Irene Pallucchi, Maria Bertuzzi, David Madrid, Pierre Fontanel, Shin-ichi Higashijima, Abdeljabbar El Manira
Summary: This study links the molecular diversity of motoneurons and V2a interneurons with the modular circuit organization that controls locomotor speed in adult zebrafish. It reveals functional segregation and shared molecular signatures among different subtypes of neurons, providing important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying motor circuit modularity.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)