Abstract

In this project the phenomena will be investigated which lead to functional recovery following spinal cord transection of lampreys. To lay foundation for this we will further characterize the locomotor central pattern generator (CPG) of the lamprey, since it is the CPG which must be successfully reconstructed to restore function. The physiology will include a comparison of oscillator stability between adult and larval cords, and an analysis of the role of the long tract coordinating fibers. Anatomical description of the tracts carrying coordinating fibers will be done to determine the pattern of distribution of the cells whose axons make up the tracts. Lampreys, larval and adult, will be spinal- transected. Their recovery will be further studied, and the behavior of the previously transected cords compared to controls. The regenerated neuronal processes will be mapped anatomically and compared to controls to determine whether the specific pattern of cell distribution correlates with functional recovery. Qualitative changes in segmental oscillators which result from spinal lesions will also be explored. A search for general principles of functional recovery which transcend the lamprey will be a major aim.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01NS016803-07A1
Application #
3397140
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 1 (NEUB)
Project Start
1980-12-01
Project End
1990-06-30
Budget Start
1987-07-01
Budget End
1988-06-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Cornell University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Ithaca
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14850

  Publications

Cohen, A H; Kiemel, T; Pate, V et al. (1999) Temperature can alter the function outcome of spinal cord regeneration in larval lampreys. Neuroscience 90:957-65
Kiemel, T; Cohen, A H (1998) Estimation of coupling strength in regenerated lamprey spinal cords based on a stochastic phase model. J Comput Neurosci 5:267-84
Cohen, A H; Guan, L; Harris, J et al. (1996) Interaction between the caudal brainstem and the lamprey central pattern generator for locomotion. Neuroscience 74:1161-73
Bertram, R; Butte, M J; Kiemel, T et al. (1995) Topological and phenomenological classification of bursting oscillations. Bull Math Biol 57:413-39
Mellen, N; Kiemel, T; Cohen, A H (1995) Correlational analysis of fictive swimming in the lamprey reveals strong functional intersegmental coupling. J Neurophysiol 73:1020-30
Cohen, A H; Dobrov, T A; Li, G et al. (1990) The development of the lamprey pattern generator for locomotion. J Neurobiol 21:958-69
Cohen, A H (1988) Regenerated fibers of the lamprey spinal cord can coordinate fictive swimming in the presence of curare. J Neurobiol 19:193-8
Cohen, A H (1987) Effects of oscillator frequency on phase-locking in the lamprey central pattern generator. J Neurosci Methods 21:113-25
Cohen, A H; Mackler, S A; Selzer, M E (1986) Functional regeneration following spinal transection demonstrated in the isolated spinal cord of the larval sea lamprey. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 83:2763-6
Harris-Warrick, R M; Cohen, A H (1985) Serotonin modulates the central pattern generator for locomotion in the isolated lamprey spinal cord. J Exp Biol 116:27-46