小柯机器人

丹麦哥本哈根大学Ole Kiehn研究团队取得一项新突破。他们发现脑干神经元指示哺乳动物运动不对称性。相关论文于2020年5月11日发表在《自然-神经科学》杂志上。

他们报告Chx10谱系网状脊髓神经元的作用是控制哺乳动物运动的方向。Chx10神经元主要表现出同侧投射，它们的选择性单侧激活在自由移动的小鼠中引起同侧转弯运动。Chx10神经元的单侧抑制会导致对侧转向运动。成对的左右运动记录确定了通过肢体和轴向脊髓回路介导的定向运动的不同机制。

最后，他们确定了投射到Chx10网状脊髓神经元的感觉运动脑区域，并证明了它们的单侧激活可以传递左右方向的命令。这些数据共同确定了在哺乳动物中控制左右运动不对称的下降运动系统。

附：英文原文

Title: Brainstem neurons that command mammalian locomotor asymmetries

Author: Jared M. Cregg, Roberto Leiras, Alexia Montalant, Paulina Wanken, Ian R. Wickersham, Ole Kiehn

Issue&Volume: 2020-05-11

Abstract: Descending command neurons instruct spinal networks to execute basic locomotor functions, such as gait and speed. The command functions for gait and speed are symmetric, implying that a separate unknown system directs asymmetric movements, including the ability to move left or right. In the present study, we report that Chx10-lineage reticulospinal neurons act to control the direction of locomotor movements in mammals. Chx10 neurons exhibit mainly ipsilateral projection, and their selective unilateral activation causes ipsilateral turning movements in freely moving mice. Unilateral inhibition of Chx10 neurons causes contralateral turning movements. Paired left–right motor recordings identified distinct mechanisms for directional movements mediated via limb and axial spinal circuits. Finally, we identify sensorimotor brain regions that project on to Chx10 reticulospinal neurons, and demonstrate that their unilateral activation can impart left–right directional commands. Together these data identify the descending motor system that commands left–right locomotor asymmetries in mammals.

DOI: 10.1038/s41593-020-0633-7

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-020-0633-7

Nature Neuroscience：《自然—神经科学》，创刊于1998年。隶属于施普林格·自然出版集团，最新IF：28.771
官方网址：https://www.nature.com/neuro/
投稿链接：https://mts-nn.nature.com/cgi-bin/main.plex