Grant: Project Grant

In order for mammals to walk a complex pattern of muscle activation is required. For more than a century it has been known that the timing and pattern of stepping movements in mammals are generated by neural networks known as central pattern generators (CPGs), which are comprised of multiple interneuron cell types located entirely within the spinal cord. A genetic approach has recently been successful in identifying several populations of spinal neurons that make up this neural network, as well as the specific role they play during stepping. In spite of this we still know little regarding the manner in which these locomotor- related populations connect to, and interact with, one another to generate walking. Recently my laboratory has devised a novel experimental protocol which allows us to visualize neuronal activity in spinal neurons during locomotor activity. In the proposed experiments we will use this approach to identify neurons that are part of the locomotor CPG in combination with anatomical tracing techniques to determine how interneuronal components of the locomotor CPG are "wired up" to form a functional neural network. These studies will provide key insight into the structure of the locomotor CPG and will also assist those developing strategies aimed at enhancing recovery of motor function for spinal cord injured patients.