Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Brainstem: Control Centers of Medulla

Brainstem: Control Centers of Medulla

The medulla oblongata is a crucial part of the brainstem responsible for controlling various autonomic and involuntary functions. It contains several nuclei, including the olivary, cuneate, gracile, and solitary nuclei.
Olivary Nucleus
The olivary nucleus, or inferior olivary nucleus, is located within the ventrolateral part of the medulla oblongata. It is primarily involved in motor coordination and motor learning. The olivary nucleus receives input from the spinal cord, cerebellum, and motor...

Brainstem

Brainstem

The brainstem, located inferior to the brain and superior to the spinal cord, serves as a bridge between the cerebrum and the spinal cord. It plays a vital role in relaying information and controlling critical life functions. It comprises three primary regions: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
The Midbrain
The midbrain is located beneath the diencephalon and connects the cerebrum with the lower parts of the brain. The cerebral peduncles are prominent midbrain structures that house the...

Fixed Action Patterns

Fixed Action Patterns

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.

Second-Order Circuits

Second-Order Circuits

Integrating two fundamental energy storage elements in electrical circuits results in second-order circuits, encompassing RLC circuits and circuits with dual capacitors or inductors (RC and RL circuits). Second-order circuits are identified by second-order differential equations that link input and output signals.
Input signals typically originate from voltage or current sources, with the output often representing voltage across the capacitor and/or current through the inductor. For example, in...

Action Potential

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...

Action Potentials

Action Potentials

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Basal ganglia-brainstem interactions.

Current biology : CB·2025

Same author

Dynamic basal ganglia output signals license and suppress forelimb movements.

Nature·2025

Same author

Brainstem circuits help zebrafish get into the swim of things.

Neuron·2023

Same author

Structural and functional map for forelimb movement phases between cortex and medulla.

Cell·2023

Same author

Networking brainstem and basal ganglia circuits for movement.

Nature reviews. Neuroscience·2022

Same author

Absence of familiarity triggers hallmarks of autism in mouse model through aberrant tail-of-striatum and prelimbic cortex signaling.

Neuron·2022

Same journal

Body-Brain Integration: The Lower Brainstem in Sleep-Wake Regulation.

Annual review of neuroscience·2026

Same journal

Planning in the Brain: It's Not What You Think It Is.

Annual review of neuroscience·2026

Same journal

The Emerging Neurobiology of Psychedelics: Critical Periods, Metaplasticity, and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling.

Annual review of neuroscience·2026

Same journal

Rethinking Predictive Processing.

Annual review of neuroscience·2026

Same journal

Path Integration in Alzheimer's Disease: Orientation, Movement, and Theta Rhythmicity.

Annual review of neuroscience·2026

Same journal

The Cellular and Circuit Basis of Temperature Sensation in <i>Drosophila</i>.

Annual review of neuroscience·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Preparation and Culture of Chicken Auditory Brainstem Slices

Preparation and Culture of Chicken Auditory Brainstem Slices

Published on: March 21, 2011

Brainstem Circuits Controlling Action Diversification.

Ludwig Ruder^1,2, Silvia Arber^1,2

¹Biozentrum, Department of Cell Biology, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland;

Annual Review of Neuroscience

|July 9, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers used genetic tools to identify brainstem neuron populations crucial for diverse movements. These brainstem circuits integrate signals for action planning, contributing to complex behaviors like locomotion and skilled movements.

Keywords:

brainstem locomotion motor control neuronal cell types orofacial behavior skilled forelimb movement

More Related Videos

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

Published on: June 9, 2017

Preparation of Rhythmically-active In Vitro Neonatal Rodent Brainstem-spinal Cord and Thin Slice

Preparation of Rhythmically-active In Vitro Neonatal Rodent Brainstem-spinal Cord and Thin Slice

Published on: March 23, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Preparation and Culture of Chicken Auditory Brainstem Slices

Preparation and Culture of Chicken Auditory Brainstem Slices

Published on: March 21, 2011

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

Published on: June 9, 2017

Preparation of Rhythmically-active In Vitro Neonatal Rodent Brainstem-spinal Cord and Thin Slice

Preparation of Rhythmically-active In Vitro Neonatal Rodent Brainstem-spinal Cord and Thin Slice

Published on: March 23, 2019

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Motor Control
Systems Neuroscience

Background:

Movement regulation involves distributed neuronal circuits.
The brainstem acts as a critical interface between motor planning centers and spinal cord execution circuits.
Understanding brainstem circuitry is key to deciphering action diversification.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify functionally distinct brainstem neuronal populations essential for action diversification.
To explore how these populations are organized and integrated with other brain regions.
To understand the role of the brainstem in regulating complex motor behaviors.

Main Methods:

Utilized genetic and viral tracing techniques to map neuronal populations.
Investigated brainstem circuits controlling skilled forelimb movements, orofacial movements, and locomotion.
Analyzed the integration of synaptic inputs from the basal ganglia and cortex.

Main Results:

Identified functionally dedicated yet spatially intermingled brainstem neuronal populations.
Demonstrated distinct organization and function of brainstem circuits for different behaviors.
Showcased brainstem neurons as integrators of upstream synaptic inputs.

Conclusions:

Brainstem circuits are essential for action diversification, a conserved evolutionary principle.
These circuits convey regulatory parameters to motor output structures.
Functionally tuned brainstem neurons modulate behavioral output in various contexts.