A novel behavioral paradigm using mice to study predictive postural control.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience
• Motor Control

Background:

• Postural control is crucial for maintaining balance against self-generated or external perturbations.
• Human studies suggest anticipatory mechanisms, involving higher-level neural structures, modulate postural responses.
• The specific neural circuits underlying predictive postural control remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel experimental paradigm in mice for studying predictive postural control.
• To enable future neural recordings and circuit manipulations in a model organism.
• To investigate the effect of anticipatory cues on postural responses to predictable perturbations.

Main Methods:

• Developed a dynamic platform generating reproducible translational perturbations for mice.
• Mice stood bipedally on a perch and received water rewards.
• Perturbations were either unpredictable or preceded by an auditory cue; postural responses were recorded over multiple days.

Main Results:

• The developed paradigm successfully generated reproducible postural perturbations in mice.
• Preliminary data demonstrated the feasibility of investigating the effect of auditory cues on postural responses.
• The paradigm's validation across multiple days in three mice supports its utility for future research.

Conclusions:

• A novel experimental paradigm for studying predictive postural control in mice has been successfully developed and validated.
• This paradigm facilitates the investigation of anticipatory modulation of postural responses.
• It opens avenues for in-depth neural circuit analysis of predictive postural control, currently not possible in humans.