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Developmental approaches to the analysis of vertebrate central pattern generators
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|October 1, 1987
Summary
This study introduces the isolated chick embryo spinal cord for analyzing vertebrate motor activity. Findings suggest a novel shunt conductance mechanism regulates alternating hindlimb motoneuron activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Motor Control
Background:
- The isolated chick embryo spinal cord is a novel preparation for studying vertebrate motor activity.
- This preparation allows in vitro analysis during the maturation of hindlimb motoneuron antagonist alternation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the development and genesis of motor activity in the embryonic chick spinal cord.
- To explore the role of synaptically induced motoneuronal shunt conductance in regulating motor output.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing an isolated chick embryo spinal cord preparation.
- Employing intra- and extracellular recordings from motoneurons.
- Performing electrotonic recordings of motoneuron synaptic activity from muscle nerves.
Main Results:
- The isolated spinal cord preparation exhibits spontaneous, episodic motor activity in vitro.
- Recorded activity from muscle nerves and ventral roots demonstrates hindlimb motor output.
- Results indicate a potential mechanism involving synaptically induced motoneuronal shunt conductance.
Conclusions:
- Alternating motor activity in the isolated chick spinal cord may be generated by a shunt conductance mechanism.
- This mechanism regulates the discharge timing of flexor and extensor motoneurons.
- The preparation is suitable for further investigation of motor control development.
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