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Reticular activating system of a central pattern generator: premovement electrical potentials.

Jesus A Tapia1, Argelia Trejo, Pablo Linares

  • 1Institute of Physiology, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla 14 Sur 6301, Col. San Manuel, Puebla, Puebla, CP 72570, México ; School of Biology, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla 14 Sur 6301, Col. San Manuel, Puebla, Puebla, CP 72570, México.

Physiological Reports
|December 5, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers identified a novel premovement electrical potential, the obex slow potential (OSP), in cats. This OSP is linked to specific bulbar neurons and may activate spinal central pattern generators for movement.

Keywords:
Dorsal horn neuronslocomotionscratch reflexscratchingslow oscillationsspinal rehabilitation

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurophysiology
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • The reticular activating system (RAS) plays a crucial role in regulating arousal and motor activity.
  • Understanding the neural mechanisms preceding motor commands is essential for deciphering motor control.
  • Previous research has not fully characterized the bulbar contribution to premovement activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel premovement electrical potential in the bulbar RAS.
  • To identify neuronal populations associated with this potential and their firing patterns.
  • To elucidate the role of these bulbar neurons in initiating motor commands.

Main Methods:

  • Electrophysiological recordings were performed in decerebrate, deafferented, and decerebellated cats.
  • Characterization of bulbar neurons exhibiting specific firing patterns relative to a premovement potential.
  • Identification and naming of the obex slow potential (OSP) preceding fictive scratching.

Main Results:

  • A premovement electrical potential, termed obex slow potential (OSP), was identified occurring ~0.8 seconds before fictive scratching.
  • Two distinct classes of bulbar neurons were characterized: 'off-on' neurons with increased firing during OSP, and 'on-off' interneurons with decreased firing.
  • OSP-associated neuronal activity was observed in the bulbar reticular activating system.

Conclusions:

  • The obex slow potential (OSP) represents a novel premovement signal originating from the bulbar RAS.
  • Specific bulbar neuronal populations ('off-on' and 'on-off' interneurons) are directly associated with the OSP.
  • These OSP-associated neurons likely contribute to the activation of spinal central pattern generators, initiating movement.