Network Function in the Developing Spinal Cord of the Chick Embryo

O'Donovan, M J.

Abstract

This project is concerned with analyzing the development and function of spinal networks in the lumbosacral cord of the chick embryo. One focus of the study is on the synaptic organization of motoneurons. A second interest is in analyzing the cellular and network mechanisms responsible for the genesis of spontaneous motor activity . All experiments are performed on an isolated preparation of the spinal cord which is maintained in vitro.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Type: Intramural Research (Z01)
• Project #: 1Z01NS002787-04
• Application #: 3846260
• Support Year: 4
• Fiscal Year: 1992

Institution

• Name: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Country: United States

Publications

Bonnot, Agnes; Chub, Nikolai; Pujala, Avinash et al. (2009) Excitatory actions of ventral root stimulation during network activity generated by the disinhibited neonatal mouse spinal cord. J Neurophysiol 101:2995-3011

Jean-Xavier, Celine; Mentis, George Z; O'Donovan, Michael J et al. (2007) Dual personality of GABA/glycine-mediated depolarizations in immature spinal cord. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:11477-82

Oz, Murat; Yang, Keun-Hang; Shippenberg, Toni S et al. (2007) Cholecystokinin B-type receptors mediate a G-protein-dependent depolarizing action of sulphated cholecystokinin ocatapeptide (CCK-8s) on rodent neonatal spinal ventral horn neurons. J Neurophysiol 98:1108-14

Personius, Kirkwood E; Chang, Qiang; Mentis, George Z et al. (2007) Reduced gap junctional coupling leads to uncorrelated motor neuron firing and precocious neuromuscular synapse elimination. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:11808-13

Chub, Nikolai; Mentis, George Z; O'donovan, Michael J (2006) Chloride-sensitive MEQ fluorescence in chick embryo motoneurons following manipulations of chloride and during spontaneous network activity. J Neurophysiol 95:323-30

Mentis, George Z; Siembab, Valerie C; Zerda, Ricardo et al. (2006) Primary afferent synapses on developing and adult Renshaw cells. J Neurosci 26:13297-310

Tabak, Joel; O'Donovan, Michael J; Rinzel, John (2006) Differential control of active and silent phases in relaxation models of neuronal rhythms. J Comput Neurosci 21:307-28

Mentis, George Z; Gravell, Maneth; Hamilton, Rebecca et al. (2006) Transduction of motor neurons and muscle fibers by intramuscular injection of HIV-1-based vectors pseudotyped with select rabies virus glycoproteins. J Neurosci Methods 157:208-17

Oz, Murat; Yang, Keun-Hang; O'donovan, Michael J et al. (2005) Presynaptic angiotensin II AT1 receptors enhance inhibitory and excitatory synaptic neurotransmission to motoneurons and other ventral horn neurons in neonatal rat spinal cord. J Neurophysiol 94:1405-12

O'Donovan, Michael J (2005) Serotonergic neurones drive spontaneous activity in the developing mouse hindbrain. J Physiol 566:643