Research in this section is concerned with the development and function of the spinal circuitry controlling rhythmic motor behavior. Developmental work is performed on the on the isolated spinal cord preparation of the chick embryo, focusing on the mechanisms responsible for spontaneous embryonic motor activity. We have proposed that this activity arises because developing networks are hyperexcitable and express a form of slow activity-dependent synaptic depression. Current research is focused on the role of chloride homeostasis in this depression. We are also using the isolated neonatal mouse spinal cord to analyze the neural mechanisms of mammalian locomotion. Our current goal is to identify the last-order interneurons projecting excitation and inhibition to lumbar and sacral motoneurons. Both chick and mouse experiments use several techniques including voltage- and calcium dye imaging of network function, whole cell recording of interneuronal and motoneuronal activity and immunocytochemistry of identified interneurons.

Selected Publications: