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Ablation of a Neuronal Population Using a Two-photon Laser and Its Assessment Using Calcium Imaging and Behavioral Recording in Zebrafish Larvae
Published on: June 2, 2018
Spinal projection neurons control turning behaviors in zebrafish
Kuo-Hua Huang1, Misha B Ahrens, Timothy W Dunn
1Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|August 6, 2013
Summary
Spinal projection neurons (SPNs) in the brainstem control turning behaviors. Activating these ventromedial hindbrain SPNs transforms forward swimming into turns by altering tail movements.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Locomotion
Background:
- Brainstem spinal projection neurons (SPNs) are implicated in locomotion.
- The precise role of SPNs in generating diverse motor outputs remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ventromedial hindbrain SPNs (vSPNs) in generating turning behaviors.
- To determine if vSPNs transform basic motor patterns into specific behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Unilateral laser ablation of vSPNs in zebrafish.
- Analysis of tail movements and swimming behavior during various turning stimuli.
Main Results:
- vSPN ablation specifically impaired the first tail undulation cycle during turns.
- Ablation abolished turning behavior and increased forward swimming.
- vSPN activity was direction-specific and graded by turning angle.
Conclusions:
- vSPNs play a critical, universal role in initiating and controlling turning behaviors.
- A small population of SPNs can generate diverse motor outputs by modulating basic motor patterns.
- Graded activation of vSPNs transforms forward swims into turns.
