Locomotor pattern in the adult zebrafish spinal cord in vitro

• The zebrafish is an attractive model system for studying the function of the spinal locomotor network by combining electrophysiological, imaging, and genetic approaches. Thus far, most studies have been focusing on embryonic and larval stages. In this study we have developed an in vitro preparation of the isolated spinal cord from adult zebrafish in which locomotor activity can be induced while the activity of single neurons can be monitored using whole cell recording techniques. Application of NMDA elicited rhythmic locomotor activity that was monitored by recording from muscles or ventral roots in semi-intact or isolated spinal cord preparations, respectively. This rhythmic activity displayed a left-right alternation and a rostrocaudal delay. Blockade of glycinergic synaptic transmission by strychnine switched the alternating activity into synchronous bursting in the left and right sides as well as along the rostrocaudal axis. Whole cell recordings from motoneurons showed that they receive phasic synaptic inputs that were correlated with the locomotor activity recorded in ventral roots. This newly developed in vitro preparation of the adult zebrafish spinal cord will allow examination of the organization of the spinal locomotor network in an adult system to complement studies in zebrafish larvae and new born rodents.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

n methyl dextro aspartic acid

strychnine

animal tissue

article

controlled study

correlation analysis

locomotion

motoneuron

muscle

nerve cell

neurotransmission

nonhuman

priority journal

spinal cord

synapse

ventral root

whole cell

zebra fish

Action Potentials

Animals

Biological Clocks

Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists

Functional Laterality

Glycine

Models

Biological

Motor Neurons

Nerve Net

Neural Pathways

Patch-Clamp Techniques

Periodicity

Spinal Nerve Roots

Synaptic Transmission

Zebrafish

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)