Glutamatergic mechanisms for speed control and network operation in the rodent locomotor CPG

TY - JOUR

T1 - Glutamatergic mechanisms for speed control and network operation in the rodent locomotor CPG

AU - Talpalar, Adolfo E.

AU - Kiehn, Ole

PY - 2010/8/6

Y1 - 2010/8/6

N2 - Locomotion is a fundamental motor act that, to a large degree, is controlled by central patterngenerating (CPG) networks in the spinal cord. Glutamate is thought to be responsible for most of the excitatory input to and the excitatory activity within the locomotor CPG. However, previous studies in mammals have produced conflicting results regarding the necessity and role of the different ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs) in the CPG function. Here, we use electrophysiological and pharmacological techniques in the in vitro neonatal mouse lumbar spinal cord to investigate the role of a broad range of ionotropic GluRs in the control of locomotor speed and intrinsic locomotor network function. We show that non-NMDA (non-NMDARs) and NMDA receptor (NMDAR) systems may independently mediate locomotor-like activity and that these receptors set different speeds of locomotor-like activity through mechanisms acting at various network levels. AMPA and kainate receptors are necessary for generating the highest locomotor frequencies. For coordination, NMDARs are more important than non-NMDARs for conveying the rhythmic signal from the network to the motor neurons during long-lasting and steady locomotor activity. This study reveals that a diversity of ionotropic GluRs tunes the network to perform at different locomotor speeds and provides multiple levels for potential regulation and plasticity.

AB - Locomotion is a fundamental motor act that, to a large degree, is controlled by central patterngenerating (CPG) networks in the spinal cord. Glutamate is thought to be responsible for most of the excitatory input to and the excitatory activity within the locomotor CPG. However, previous studies in mammals have produced conflicting results regarding the necessity and role of the different ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs) in the CPG function. Here, we use electrophysiological and pharmacological techniques in the in vitro neonatal mouse lumbar spinal cord to investigate the role of a broad range of ionotropic GluRs in the control of locomotor speed and intrinsic locomotor network function. We show that non-NMDA (non-NMDARs) and NMDA receptor (NMDAR) systems may independently mediate locomotor-like activity and that these receptors set different speeds of locomotor-like activity through mechanisms acting at various network levels. AMPA and kainate receptors are necessary for generating the highest locomotor frequencies. For coordination, NMDARs are more important than non-NMDARs for conveying the rhythmic signal from the network to the motor neurons during long-lasting and steady locomotor activity. This study reveals that a diversity of ionotropic GluRs tunes the network to perform at different locomotor speeds and provides multiple levels for potential regulation and plasticity.

KW - 5HT

KW - AMPA

KW - Central pattern generator

KW - Kainate

KW - Locomotion

KW - NBQX

KW - NMDA

KW - Spinal cord

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79952073823&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3389/fncir.2010.00019

DO - 10.3389/fncir.2010.00019

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:79952073823

SN - 1662-5110

VL - 4

JO - Frontiers in Neural Circuits

JF - Frontiers in Neural Circuits

IS - AUG

M1 - 19

ER -