Functional characterization of spinal cord interneurons expressing the homeodomain protein Hb9

  • Brownstone, Robert B.M. (PI)

Project: Research project

Project Details

Description

In 1911, T. Graham Brown demonstrated that the mammalian spinal cord contains all the circuitry needed to activate the muscles involved in walking ? even in the absence of input from both the brain and the limbs. In the last decade, this fascinating mechanism has opened the door to new rehabilitation routines as clinicians have begun to tap its potential to restore some function after a spinal cord injury. Yet no one has pinpointed the network of neurons, or central pattern generators, in the spinal cord that produces the rhythm muscle firings that enable us to place one foot in front of the other, again and again. Recent scientific and technological advances are likely to change that, however. For example, Dr. Brownstone's laboratory was able to identify in mice a population of interneurons that may be important in the generation of locomotor rhythms. Interneurons are the connector nerve cells in the spinal cord that transmit messages from sensory neurons to motor neurons. Under this grant, Dr. Brownstone will continue exploring these interneurons. He hopes to determine how they affect the production of locomotor activity and identify which neurotransmitters and neuromodulators determine the properties of the interneurons and how they do that. The results could provide new insight into the control of locomotion and eventually could help clinicians to develop better rehabilitation regimens that would help people with injured spinal cords to walk again.

StatusFinished
Effective start/end date1/1/0412/31/05

Funding

  • Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation: US$149,490.00

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Neurology
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)