The goal of this project is to understand how nerve cells in the spinal cord produce locomotion. The studies will be conducted using a lower vertebrate as a model system. The spinal cord of all vertebrate animals is composed of the same types of nerve cells which are organized in a similar manner, but the spinal cord of lower vertebrate has fewer cells and simpler behavior; thus, the decreased complexity makes it a good model system. These studies will investigate how intersegmental coordination is produced; that would be analogous to studying in humans how the neurons controlling flexion and extension of the hip are coordinated with the neurons controlling flexion and extension of the knee and ankle. The principle investigator, Dr. Karen Sigvardt, will work in collaboration with mathematicians to develop a mathematical framework for the results of the studies which will utilize both physiological and anatomical techniques. This work will contribute to knowledge about the way in which the spinal cord controls coordinated movements.
