Fictive locomotion in the adult decerebrate and spinal mouse in vivo

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Recently, transgenic mice have been created with mutations affecting the components of the mammalian spinal central pattern generator (CPG) for locomotion, however, it has currently only been possible to evoke fictive locomotion in mice, using neonatal in vitro preparations. Here, we demonstrate that it is possible to evoke fictive locomotion in the adult decerebrate mouse in vivo using L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-DOPA) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) following injection of the monoaminoxiadase inhibitor Nialamide. We investigate the effects of afferent stimulation and spinalization as well as demonstrate the possibility of simultaneous intracellular recording of rhythmically active motoneurones. Our results demonstrate that several features of the mouse locomotor CPG are similar to that which have been observed in rat, cat, rabbit and monkey suggesting a fairly conserved organisation and allowing for future results in transgenic mice to be extrapolated to existing knowledge of CPG components and circuitry obtained in larger species.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Physiology
Volume590
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)289-300
Number of pages12
ISSN0022-3751
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

ID: 36076088