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Published on: March 24, 2020
Motor learning changes GABAergic terminals on spinal motoneurons in normal rats
Yu Wang1, Shreejith Pillai, Jonathan R Wolpaw
1Laboratory of Nervous System Disorders, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health and State University of New York, PO Box 509, Albany, NY 12201, USA. ywang@wadsworth.org
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|January 20, 2006
Summary
Spinal cord plasticity enhances motor learning. Successful H-reflex conditioning in rats increased GABAergic input to motoneurons, suggesting a mechanism for skill acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Spinal Cord Physiology
Background:
- The role of spinal cord plasticity in motor learning remains largely unexplored.
- Understanding how the spinal cord adapts during motor skill acquisition is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of H-reflex operant conditioning on GABAergic input to spinal motoneurons.
- To elucidate the spinal cord mechanisms underlying motor learning.
Main Methods:
- Utilized H-reflex operant conditioning in rats as a model for motor learning.
- Labeled soleus motoneurons and identified GABAergic terminals using GAD67 immunoreactivity.
- Compared GABAergic terminal characteristics in successful, unsuccessful, and naive conditioning groups.
Main Results:
- Successful H-reflex down-conditioning led to significant increases in the number, size, and GAD density of GABAergic terminals on motoneurons.
- These changes were associated with greater terminal coverage of the motoneuron in successful learners.
- Differences were attributed to modifications in terminals from spinal interneurons in lamina VI-VII.
Conclusions:
- Spinal cord plasticity, specifically alterations in GABAergic input, occurs during motor learning in intact rats.
- This plasticity likely involves corticospinal tract influences on motoneuron excitability.
- Such spinal cord adaptations contribute to the acquisition of motor skills.
