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Motoneuronal Regulation of Central Pattern Generator and Network Function

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Vertebrate Motoneurons

Part of the book series: Advances in Neurobiology ((NEUROBIOL,volume 28))

Abstract

This chapter reviews recent work showing that vertebrate motoneurons can trigger spontaneous rhythmic activity in the developing spinal cord and can modulate the function of several different central pattern generators later in development. In both the embryonic chick and the fetal mouse spinal cords, antidromic activation of motoneurons can trigger bouts of rhythmic activity. In the neonatal mouse, optogenetic manipulation of motoneuron firing can modulate the frequency of fictive locomotion activated by a drug cocktail. In adult animals, motoneurons have been shown to regulate swimming in the zebrafish, and vocalization in fish and frogs. We discuss the significance of these findings and the degree to which motoneurons may be considered a part of these central pattern generators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NCCIH, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Mélanie Falgairolle

  2. NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Michael J. O’Donovan

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  1. Mélanie Falgairolle
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  2. Michael J. O’Donovan
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Correspondence to Michael J. O’Donovan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Michael J. O'Donovan

  2. NINDS, Developmental Neurobiology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Mélanie Falgairolle

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Falgairolle, M., O’Donovan, M.J. (2022). Motoneuronal Regulation of Central Pattern Generator and Network Function. In: O'Donovan, M.J., Falgairolle, M. (eds) Vertebrate Motoneurons. Advances in Neurobiology, vol 28. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07167-6_11

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