Tid: Onsdag d. 29. oktober 2003
Kl.: 20.00
Sted: Auditorium 1
August Krogh Instituttet
Universitetsparken 13
2100 København Ø
1896-2003
Physiological and Genetic Determinants of
Neuronal Circuits Controlling Walking
Ole Kiehn
Mammalian Locomotor Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
The spinal cord plays a central role in controlling voluntary muscle movements. This control
is exerted via neuronal networks that regulate pools of motor neurons innervating distinct muscle
groups. Intrinsic spinal networks control much of the rhythmic motor neuron activity that underlies
locomotion. These spinal rhythm-generating networks are known as central pattern generators
(CPGs) and are thought to function as local command and control centers for the phasic activation
of motor neurons during locomotion in all vertebrates, including man. The precise organization of
the mammalian CPGs is, however, so far unknown. A better understanding of the locomotor CPGs
in mammals is a prerequisite for clinical neuro-rehabilitation of spinal cord injury patients, for
whom the loss of ambulation is the major obstacle to attain a normal lifestyle.
In this talk I will review findings that have identified key components of the mammalian
CPG network using anatomical and electrophysiological techniques. I will also review new genetic
approaches that have been used to identify populations of CPG neurons by their expression of
molecular markers and transcription factors. This multidisciplinary approach ultimately may allow
researchers to decipher the functional organization of CPGs controlling rhythmic movements in
mammals.
Butt SJ and Kiehn O (2003) Functional identification of interneurons responsible for left-right coordination of
hindlimbs in mammals. Neuron 38(6): 953-963. Kullander K, Butt SJB, Lebret J, Lundfald L, Restrepo E, Klein R and
Kiehn O (2003) Role of EphA4 and EphrinB3 in local circuits that control walking. Science 299: 1889-1892. Butt SJ,
Harris-Warrick RM and Kiehn O (2002) Firing properties of identified interneuron populations in the mammalian
hindlimb central pattern generator. Journal of Neuroscience 22(22): 9961-9971. Tresch MC and Kiehn O (2000)
Motor coordination without action potentials in the mammalian spinal cord. Nature Neuroscience 3(6): 593-599.
Raastad M, Johnson BR and Kiehn O (1996) The number of single postsynaptic currents necessary to produce
locomotor-related cyclic information in neurons in the neonatal rat spinal cord. Neuron 12, 729-738. Kjærulff O and
Kiehn O (1996) Distribution of Networks generating and coordinating locomotor activity in the neonatal rat spinal cord
in vitro. A lesion study. Journal of Neuroscience 16(8): 5777-5794.
Kom og hør mere i Biologisk Selskab
Husk! Efter foredraget samles vi til en øl/vandfor at snakke mere med foredragsholderen eller gode venner
Mødeleder: Ole Kjærulff, Tel.: 3532 7453, E-mail: O.Kjaerulff@mfi.ku.dk