Deconstruction of Vermal Cerebellum in Ramp Locomotion in Mice
Chenfei Lyu1, Chencen Yu1, Guanglong Sun1
1Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|November 14, 2022
Summary
The cerebellum
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Locomotion Research
- Cerebellar Function
Background:
- The cerebellum is crucial for balance and movement control during locomotion.
- Cerebellar activity during complex terrains like slopes remains largely unexplored.
- Understanding cerebellar circuits in 3D environments is vital for motor control research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebellar neuronal activity in molecular interneurons (MLIs) and Purkinje cells (PCs) during slope ambulation.
- To identify cerebellar micro-circuits involved in regulating locomotion on inclines.
- To elucidate the role of the vermal cerebellum in 3D terrain navigation.
Main Methods:
- In vivo imaging of MLI and PC activity using a miniaturized microscope in mice walking on slopes.
- Recording neuronal responses during uphill and downhill locomotion.
- Chemogenetic inactivation of specific cerebellar lobules to assess functional impact.
Main Results:
- Vermal MLI activity significantly increased during both uphill and downhill locomotion.
- A subset of MLIs showed sustained activation modulated by slope inclines.
- Purkinje cells exhibited counter-balanced activity, decreasing at the ramp peak.
- Inactivation of lobule V impaired uphill locomotion.
Conclusions:
- A novel micro-circuit within the vermal cerebellum regulates ambulatory behavior on 3D terrains.
- MLIs and PCs play distinct, potentially opposing roles in processing slope information.
- Cerebellar circuits are essential for adapting locomotion to challenging environmental inclines.
