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Multiple Rhythm-Generating Circuits Act in Tandem with Pacemaker Properties to Control the Start and Speed of Locomotion
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Multiple Rhythm-Generating Circuits Act in Tandem with Pacemaker Properties to Control the Start and Speed of Locomotion

Jianren Song, Irene Pallucchi, Jessica Ausborn, Konstantinos Ampatzis, Maria Bertuzzi, Pierre Fontanel, Laurence D. Picton and Abdeljabbar El Manira
Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.), v 105(6), pp 1048-1061.e4
18 Mar 2020
PMID: 31982322
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2019.12.030View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access (Publisher-Specific) Open

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Neurosciences Neurosciences & Neurology Science & Technology
In vertebrates, specific command centers in the brain can selectively drive slow-explorative or fast-speed locomotion. However, it remains unclear how the locomotor central pattern generator (CPG) processes descending drive into coordinated locomotion. Here, we reveal, in adult zebrafish, a logic of the V2a interneuron rhythm-generating circuits involving recurrent and hierarchical connectivity that acts in tandem with pacemaker properties to provide an ignition and gear-shift mechanism to start locomotion and change speed. A comprehensive mapping of synaptic connections reveals three recurrent circuit modules engaged sequentially to increase locomotor speed. The connectivity between V2a interneurons of different modules displayed a clear asymmetry in favor of connections from faster to slower modules. The interplay between V2a interneuron pacemaker properties and their organized connectivity provides a mechanism for locomotor initiation and speed control. Thus, our results provide mechanistic insights into how the spinal CPG transforms descending drive into locomotion and align its speed with the initial intention.

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51 citations in Scopus

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Neurosciences
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