The spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternation

Summary: Rhythmic motor behaviors are generated by neural networks termed central pattern generators (CPGs). Although locomotor CPGs have been extensively characterized, it remains unknown how the neuronal populations composing them interact to generate adaptive rhythms in mammals. We explored the c...

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Main Authors: Mingchen Yao, Akira Nagamori, Sandrina Campos Maçãs, Eiman Azim, Tatyana Sharpee, Martyn Goulding, David Golomb, Graziana Gatto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Cell Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124725006163
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author Mingchen Yao
Akira Nagamori
Sandrina Campos Maçãs
Eiman Azim
Tatyana Sharpee
Martyn Goulding
David Golomb
Graziana Gatto
author_facet Mingchen Yao
Akira Nagamori
Sandrina Campos Maçãs
Eiman Azim
Tatyana Sharpee
Martyn Goulding
David Golomb
Graziana Gatto
author_sort Mingchen Yao
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Rhythmic motor behaviors are generated by neural networks termed central pattern generators (CPGs). Although locomotor CPGs have been extensively characterized, it remains unknown how the neuronal populations composing them interact to generate adaptive rhythms in mammals. We explored the cooperation dynamics among the three main populations of ipsilaterally projecting spinal CPG neurons—V1, V2a, and V2b neurons—in scratch reflex rhythmogenesis. Individual ablation of the three neuronal populations reduced the oscillation frequency. Activation of excitatory V2a neurons enhanced the oscillation frequency, while activating inhibitory V1 neurons suppressed movement. Building on these findings, we developed a neuromechanical model made of self-oscillating flexor and extensor modules coupled via inhibition. Rhythm frequency is increased by strong intra-module inhibition and facilitation mechanisms in excitatory neurons and decreased by strong inter-module inhibition. In sum, we describe how genetically identified neuron types and the strengths of their synaptic connections drive scratch rhythmogenesis.
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spelling doaj-art-ffab2f0f61524ae5a360aed2b43329762025-08-20T02:37:03ZengElsevierCell Reports2211-12472025-06-0144611584510.1016/j.celrep.2025.115845The spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternationMingchen Yao0Akira Nagamori1Sandrina Campos Maçãs2Eiman Azim3Tatyana Sharpee4Martyn Goulding5David Golomb6Graziana Gatto7Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Physics, UCSD, La Jolla, CA, USAMolecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USAClinic and Policlinic for Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, GermanyMolecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA; Corresponding authorComputational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Physics, UCSD, La Jolla, CA, USA; Corresponding authorMolecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA; Corresponding authorDepartments of Physiology and Cell Biology and Physics, Ben Gurion University, Be′er-Sheva 8410501, Israel; School of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben Gurion University, Be′er-Sheva 8410501, Israel; Corresponding authorClinic and Policlinic for Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Corresponding authorSummary: Rhythmic motor behaviors are generated by neural networks termed central pattern generators (CPGs). Although locomotor CPGs have been extensively characterized, it remains unknown how the neuronal populations composing them interact to generate adaptive rhythms in mammals. We explored the cooperation dynamics among the three main populations of ipsilaterally projecting spinal CPG neurons—V1, V2a, and V2b neurons—in scratch reflex rhythmogenesis. Individual ablation of the three neuronal populations reduced the oscillation frequency. Activation of excitatory V2a neurons enhanced the oscillation frequency, while activating inhibitory V1 neurons suppressed movement. Building on these findings, we developed a neuromechanical model made of self-oscillating flexor and extensor modules coupled via inhibition. Rhythm frequency is increased by strong intra-module inhibition and facilitation mechanisms in excitatory neurons and decreased by strong inter-module inhibition. In sum, we describe how genetically identified neuron types and the strengths of their synaptic connections drive scratch rhythmogenesis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124725006163CP: Neuroscience
spellingShingle Mingchen Yao
Akira Nagamori
Sandrina Campos Maçãs
Eiman Azim
Tatyana Sharpee
Martyn Goulding
David Golomb
Graziana Gatto
The spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternation
Cell Reports
CP: Neuroscience
title The spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternation
title_full The spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternation
title_fullStr The spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternation
title_full_unstemmed The spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternation
title_short The spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternation
title_sort spinal premotor network driving scratching flexor and extensor alternation
topic CP: Neuroscience
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124725006163
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