MotAct-CSF - Characterization of CSF-contacting neurons physiological role in the mammalian nervous system
Final Report Abstract
The generation of coordinated and adaptable movements is essential for the survival of animals. From swimming to walking and flying, animals have evolved specific locomotor strategies to thrive in different habitats. All types of locomotion depend on integration of motor commands and sensory information to generate precise movements. Whereas planning and initiation of motor behaviors are controlled by the brain, the generation of limb and body movements is organized by specialized networks in the spinal cord. In addition, spinal circuits dynamically integrate sensory information in order to refine motor programs to cope with perturbations from the environment. Cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons (CSF-cN) constitute vertebrate sensory neurons present along the entire rostro-caudal extent of the spinal cord that monitors CSF composition and flow. In fish, CSF-cN have been shown to have an important role in modulating swimming in response to changes in pH and bending of the spinal cord. However, the physiological role of CSF-cN in mammals remains elusive. In this project we used mouse genetics to study their function in quadrupedal locomotion and found that CSF-cN are directly integrated into spinal motor circuits by forming connections with motor neurons and premotor interneurons. Elimination of CSF-cN selectively perturbs the accuracy of motor control required for skilled locomotion, such as walking on a balance beam. These results identify an important role for mouse CSF-cN in the control of skilled locomotion and indicate that this sensory system evolved a novel function from lower vertebrates to accommodate the specific requirements of terrestrial locomotion.
Publications
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(2021). The role of intraspinal sensory neurons in the control of quadrupedal locomotion
Gerstmann, K., Jurčić, N., Kunz, S., Wanaverbecq, N., and Zampieri, N.
