Neuronal networks in the spinal cord, termed central pattern generators (CPGs), have considerable motor capacity and can be activated by cutaneous stimulation in a spinal vertebrate with complete spinal cord transection. CPGs produce coordinated motor output in model systems of spinal vertebrates immobilized with neuromuscular blockade. The immobilized spinal turtle produces the motor patterns of mixed-synergy rostral scratch, conventional-synergy pocket scratch, and conventional-synergy flexion reflex. In rostral scratch, monoarticular knee extensors are active during hip-flexor activity; in pocket scratch, monoarticuiar knee extensors are active during hip-extensor activity; in flexion reflex, knee flexors are active during hip-flexor activity. We record single-unit descending propriospinal interneuron activity during these moter patterns. We test predictions of Grillner's unit-burst-generator hypothesis of CPG organization in which each direction of each degree of freedom is controlled by a specific module, e.g., hip flexor, hip extensor, knee flexor, knee extensor, etc. We study interneurons that are candidate members of each module during normal rostral scratch with rhythmic alternation between agonist and antagonist motor output at each degree of freedom; antagonist activity occurs during agonist quiescence. We test predictions of interneuronal activity or quiescence during 3 motor-pattern variations of rostral scratch, termed deletions. During an antagonist deletion, there is no quiescence between successive agonist bursts and no antagonist motor activity. We study hip-related and knee-related deletions. We test predictions of interneuronal phase constancy or shifting when pocket scratch is compared with rostral scratch and predictions of interneuroral activation or quiescence during flexion reflex. Our experiments reveal critical characteristics of turtle CPGs. There is considerable similarity in the organization of spinal cord in all vertebrates, including humans. Our findings of CPG organization will be of interest to those developing new therapies for spinal-injured humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS030786-14
Application #
7452493
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-F (02))
Program Officer
Chen, Daofen
Project Start
1992-07-01
Project End
2011-06-30
Budget Start
2008-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
14
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$167,740
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Stein, Paul S G; Daniels-McQueen, Susan; Lai, Jessica et al. (2016) Modular organization of the multipartite central pattern generator for turtle rostral scratch: knee-related interneurons during deletions. J Neurophysiol 115:3130-9
Stein, Paul S G (2010) Alternation of agonists and antagonists during turtle hindlimb motor rhythms. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1198:105-18
Stein, Paul S G (2008) Motor pattern deletions and modular organization of turtle spinal cord. Brain Res Rev 57:118-24
Stein, P S G (2005) Neuronal control of turtle hindlimb motor rhythms. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 191:213-29
Stein, Paul S G; Daniels-McQueen, Susan (2004) Variations in motor patterns during fictive rostral scratching in the turtle: knee-related deletions. J Neurophysiol 91:2380-4
Stein, Paul S G; Daniels-McQueen, Susan (2003) Timing of knee-related spinal neurons during fictive rostral scratching in the turtle. J Neurophysiol 90:3585-93
Stein, Paul S G; Daniels-McQueen, Susan (2002) Modular organization of turtle spinal interneurons during normal and deletion fictive rostral scratching. J Neurosci 22:6800-9
Earhart, G M; Stein, P S (2000) Scratch-swim hybrids in the spinal turtle: blending of rostral scratch and forward swim. J Neurophysiol 83:156-65
Earhart, G M; Stein, P S (2000) Step, swim, and scratch motor patterns in the turtle. J Neurophysiol 84:2181-90
Stein, P S (1999) Central pattern generators and interphyletic awareness. Prog Brain Res 123:259-71

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